Reproductive Challenges Faced by Women with Disabilities

Raju Malla, Padmakanya Multiple Campus, Tribhuvan University

This study explores the reproductive challenges faced by women with disabilities, focusing on their specific issues and how societal attitudes and perceptions impact their reproductive health. It also investigates barriers to accessing reproductive healthcare services. The study was conducted in Kirtipur Municipality, a historic area west of Kathmandu valley. It employed a cross-sectional research design with a quantitative methodology. Since the total population for the study was unknown, a two-stage sampling approach was used. In the first stage, a list of 113 women with disabilities registered in Kirtipur Municipality was prepared. In the second stage, 40 respondents, constituting 35.40 percent of the total, were randomly chosen using a simple random sampling method. Both structured and unstructured questionnaires were used to gather data. Nearly half (45%) of the respondents had physical disabilities, 20 percent had vision-related disabilities, and 15 percent had multiple disabilities. The study reveals the need for disability-friendly services, infrastructure, and educational initiatives to address reproductive challenges. Societal attitudes and perceptions significantly impact the reproductive health of these women, highlighting the importance of accessible healthcare services for women with disabilities.

Keywords: Sexual and Reproductive Health and Rights, Family Planning and Contraception, Inequality, Disadvantage and Discrimination, Health and Morbidity

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