Submission of the Human Rights Commission on the and reproductive health “Sexual and rights of persons questionnaire with disabilities” The Human Rights Commission the opportunity to provide (“Commission”) welcomes this short submission to the Special Rapporteur on the Rights of Persons with Disabilities for her report on the sexual and reproductive health of girls with disabilities. Overall, there is a lack of information and statistics on this topic in New Zealand. However, the New Zealand Disability Strategy 2016-2026 does acknowledge the need for barrier-free mainstream sexual and reproductive health services for women and girls with disabilities. It also acknowledges that disability and sexuality is important, that there is gender and sexuality diversity across the disability community, and that society with disabilities do not have sexual needs and has “incorrect perceptions people people with disabilities face such perceptions. The desires.” Anecdotally, we know previous disability strategy created in 2001, also highlighted sexual and reproductive rights as an action area, with actions to people in making their own “Support disabled choices about their relationships, sexuality and reproductive and and potential” “Provide evaluate educational initiatives about sexuality, safety and relationships for disabled children and However, little happened to progress these actions. youth.” Sexuality education is compulsory in New Zealand primary and secondary schools, where it is a of in health and/or physical education. There is some “key area focus” guidance on providing sexuality education tailored to certain ethnic groups, including indigenous peoples, but no such guidance with a focus on people with disabilities. In regards to access to sexual health and reproductive services, the New Zealand Ministry of Health has published a and for “Sexual Reproductive Health” resource book health care organisations. One of its suggested strategies is to there is support “Ensure and contraceptive planning and other sexual health issues for people with disabilities.” The resource suggests educators draw on the expertise of and “nurses, educators, health promoters, who are specially trained to advise young people with disabilities on sexual health to train more health professionals to support people with issues” disabilities on sexuality issues. As far as the Commission is aware, there is no New Zealand data on violence against girls with disabilities impacting their enjoyment of sexual and reproductive health rights. However, it is known that disabled women are about twice as likely to be victims of violence and abuse compared to nondisabled women.
Submission of the Human Rights Commission on the “Sexual and reproductive health and rights of persons with disabilities” questionnaire The Human Rights Commission (“Commission”) welcomes the opportunity to provide this short submission to the Special Rapporteur on the Rights of Persons with Disabilities for her report on the sexual and reproductive health of girls with disabilities. Overall, there is a lack of information and statistics on this topic in New Zealand. However, the New Zealand Disability Strategy 2016-2026 does acknowledge the need for barrier-free mainstream sexual and reproductive health services for women and girls with disabilities. It also acknowledges that disability and sexuality is important, that there is gender and sexuality diversity across the disability community, and that society has “incorrect perceptions people with disabilities do not have sexual needs and desires.” Anecdotally, we know people with disabilities face such perceptions. The previous disability strategy created in 2001, also highlighted sexual and reproductive rights as an action area, with actions to “Support disabled people in making their own choices about their relationships, sexuality and reproductive potential” and “Provide and evaluate educational initiatives about sexuality, safety and relationships for disabled children and youth.” However, little happened to progress these actions. Sexuality education is compulsory in New Zealand primary and secondary schools, where it is a “key area of focus” in health and/or physical education. There is some guidance on providing sexuality education tailored to certain ethnic groups, including indigenous peoples, but no such guidance with a focus on people with disabilities. In regards to access to sexual health and reproductive services, the New Zealand Ministry of Health has published a “Sexual and Reproductive Health” resource book for health care organisations. One of its suggested strategies is to “Ensure there is support and contraceptive planning and other sexual health issues for people with disabilities.” The resource suggests educators draw on the expertise of “nurses, educators, and health promoters, who are specially trained to advise young people with disabilities on sexual health issues” to train more health professionals to support people with disabilities on sexuality issues. As far as the Commission is aware, there is no New Zealand data on violence against girls with disabilities impacting their enjoyment of sexual and reproductive health rights. However, it is known that disabled women are about twice as likely to be victims of violence and abuse compared to nondisabled women.
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