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PEOPLES WITH DISABILITIES

Disability discrimination is common in Mityana District and around Uganda and is compounded by intersecting inequalities related to gender, age, socio-economic status, ethnicity sexuality race and nationality. This has detrimental effects on SRHR and Menstrual Health, which vary for different disabilities. (e.g. Mobility limitations, vision impairments, intellectual or developmental impairments, etc.) Generally, experiences of menstruation among people with disabilities are negative and disempowering, especially since their bodies are often subject to control by caregivers and medical personnel.

We ensure access of menstrual products and information to people with disabilities through our field champions (volunteers), providing basic training to service providers and caregivers.

PEOPLE WITH INCONTINENCE

Incontinence is a complex and largely taboo subject, which can have a significant impact on quality of life, personal dignity and health. Incontinence is when a person cannot hold or control their urine or feaces (or both). It can affect;

  • older people;

  • men, women, and children with physical disabilities and/or learning difficulties;

  • women and adolescent girls who are pregnant, or have given birth;

  • women and adolescent girls who have suffered fistula due from prolonged/obstructed childbirth or from sexual assault;

  • people with certain illnesses (such as cancer, stroke) or who have had an operation (e.g. removal of the prostate);

  • people who have experienced highly stressful situations, such as conflict or disasters, and develop night-time bed-wetting.                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                 

The Pad Programme has highlighted common barriers that prevent people with disabilities from accessing information and services, including: stigma and discrimination; lack of training and support for service providers and caregivers; exclusion of persons with disabilities from programs; inaccessible WASH facilities; and a lack of appropriate menstrual materials, exclusion from information and services increases the vulnerability of persons with disabilities to sexual abuse, sexually transmitted infection (STI), unintended  pregnancy, and adverse pregnancy-related outcomes.

WHAT ARE THE MAIN CHALLENGES AND WHAT THE PAD PROGRAMME DO TO SUPPORT PEOPLE WITH INCONTINENCE?

  • People with incontinence are hidden and embarrassed and shy to talk about it, The Pad Programme through our volunteers we first identify older people, persons with disabilities etc. who have incontinence, and we build trust by talking about other issues first (e.g., menstrual hygiene management, access to WASH facilities).

  • Lack of materials e.g., absorbent pads, underwear, cloths, mattress protectors etc. to manage incontinence. We ask people with incontinence about their preferences and needs. Some menstrual hygiene products can also be used for incontinence (e.g., reusable and disposable pads)

We keep stock of appropriate supplies at our offices, for on-demand distribution to people who have incontinence. Different types, size and absorbency levels is needed for different types and severities of incontinence.

  • People who have restricted mobility or be unable to leave their home due to embarrassment, negative attitudes towards them or an inaccessible environment, The Pad Programme ensure that people with incontinence are not excluded from distributions or from accessing services.

We ensure that people with incontinence are linked with specialist health, disability or older people organization or services.

  • Lack of access to sufficient water for washing, and /or private facilities for laundering, drying and bathing, we are to make sure that people with incontinence (or their carers) are part of consultations for siting, design and management of WASH facilities.

  • than volunteers who are their peers. Older women and men may find it embarrassing or inappropriate to discuss personal or intimate matters with younger volunteers.

  • Trusted sources of information for personal health issues such as menstrual hygiene. Women and girls trust information from coming from their mothers, aunties, teachers or local health workers – rather than from agencies or government departments. Men may trust information coming from community or religious leaders, or health workers. It is important to understand where different segments of community get their information from, and which sources they trust. This is especially critical for effectively addressing cultural taboos, myths and misinformation around menstruation.

Teachers and parents’ groups can be engaged for activities in local schools. Local community leaders, influencers, religious leaders and traditional healers or women’s health providers can also be used

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