AccessAbility: A call for innovative solutions to address barriers to sexual and reproductive health and rights facing young persons with disabilities

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The United Nations Population Fund (UNFPA), in collaboration with the Global Disability Innovation Hub (GDI Hub) and the Global Network of Young Persons with Disabilities (GNYPWD), is calling for innovative solutions to address barriers to sexual and reproductive health and rights (SRHR) facing young persons with disabilities.

Access to health services and freedom from gender-based violence are human rights. Women and young persons with disabilities often experience higher risks of violence, increased barriers to SRHR, and significant challenges in meeting their basic needs due to factors such as gender and disability.

Technological innovations offer opportunities and hope as enablers to support persons with disabilities in learning and accessing their rights, resources, and benefits. However, several barriers currently impede access to sexual and reproductive health rights, including digital inaccessibility, limited digital literacy, and fragmented internet access, among others. This innovation call seeks solutions to address these pressing challenges, disrupt inequalities, and foster the empowerment of women and girls, encompassing the diverse range of their experiences, abilities, and identities.

“We are excited to leverage the partnership with GDI Hub and GNYPWD to advance the aim of UNFPA We Decide Programme and promote social inclusion of women and young persons with disabilities through financial empowerment, technology support and capacity building. Together with young innovators with disabilities, we believe we can disrupt inequality and build a more inclusive and equitable world,” said Dr. Nigina Muntean, Chief of the Innovation Unit at UNFPA.

The challenge aims to enhance the capacity of young persons with disabilities, improve the availability and accessibility of innovations tailored to their unique needs, and facilitate their access to financial resources and participation in decision-making processes related to sexual and reproductive health (SRH) information, commodities, services, and essential support in the area of gender-based violence (GBV).

"Through this collaboration, we will provide the platform and capacity for young persons with disabilities to develop transformative solutions to the problems that matter most to them. Only through genuinely inclusive innovation can these challenges be identified and solved 'by and for' young persons with disabilities," said Ben Hardman, Head of Innovation at GDI Hub.

Winners will be selected from teams and organizations led by young innovators with disabilities, with the most promising innovations focusing on solutions to address the challenges facing young persons with disabilities in accessing their sexual and reproductive health and rights. The winners will receive a blend of financial and capacity-building support, as well as enhanced connections with UNFPA teams and the technology ecosystem.

"This Innovation Challenge is an impactful initiative that aligns with our vision: a world where young persons with disabilities fully exercise their rights to health, education, and freedom from gender-based violence. It embodies our mission to empower our members to advocate for their rights, utilizing technology as a tool to address accessibility gaps, dismantle barriers, and amplify their voices. We believe this Challenge will lead to practical, transformative solutions that will make significant strides in promoting sexual and reproductive health and rights for all and are looking forward to supporting the young innovators with disabilities," said Kartik Sawhney, GNYPWD.