IDDC

Making Development Inclusive: Mainstreaming event series
IDDC organises seminar 'Disability, Sexual/Reproductive Health and HIV&AIDS'
Amsterdam, 3 December 2011 --> register before 27 November 2011
Download info about livestreaming on 3 Dec and Facebook to receive updates

To mark the International Day of Persons with Disabilities the IDDC HIV&AIDS and Disability Task Group is organising a seminar Disability, Sexual and Reproductive Health, and HIV&AIDS on 3 December 2011 in Amsterdam.The aim of this event is to stimulate a fruitful dialogue among all stakeholders present with focus on the Millennium Development Goals.

Why focus on the Millennium Development Goals (MDGs)?

The Seminar on Disability and Development is specifically directed at MDGs 5 and 6, respectively focusing on Reproductive Health and Combating HIV/AIDS, malaria and other diseases. Reproductive Health is an important topic within development cooperation which so far has received less attention than some of the other six MDGs. Reproductive Health is closely related to the prevention of disabilities and death in newborn children and their mothers. According to the World Disability Report as much as 50% of the congenital disabilities in developing countries are avoidable. Lack of adequate nutrition, over-the-counter medication, alcohol and drugs consumption and early teenage pregnancies are known to be important causes of congenital disabilities in developing countries.

The MDG Report 2011 states that that the vast majority of maternal deaths are avoidable. HIV is reported to be an important indirect cause. The report also highlights that the likelihood of maternal death increases among women that are poorly educated and who are subjected to gender discrimination. It is known that persons with disabilities often experience double negative effects based on gender and disability. Evidence shows that women with disabilities are disadvantaged in terms of access to health institutions to receive reproductive health care, prenatal care and delivery assistance. The MDG Report does not mention women with disabilities in relation to maternal health. Although progress has been made on MDG 6, persons with disabilities are not often targeted in HIV and AIDS programming and services. According to the MDG Report reaching adolescents is critical to improving maternal health and achieving other MDGs. In several countries, early teenage pregnancies have increased over the last decade. Especially adolescents with disabilities need to be targeted in programs concerning Sexual and Reproductive Health.

Who will attend this event?

By uniting professionals from different fields we want to increase support for including disability in development cooperation, promote research on disability and sexual & reproductive health, engage students in the field of disability and development and share recent research, developments and news from the field. The following stakeholders are targeted:

• International experts and researchers on Sexual Reproductive Health, HIV&AIDS, disability and development
• Representatives of development organisations: mainstream development organisations, disability & development organisations, and Disabled Peoples Organisations (DPOs).
• Policy makers from Dutch Development Cooperation and Ambassadors of MDGs
• Southern partners active in disability and development
• Students in Disability & Development and other disciplines

Programme outline

During the morning session international professionals from the field will present their work, followed by a plenary discussion. In the afternoon participants will be split up in three working groups:

a) Sexual and Reproductive Health and Disability & Adolescents
b) HIV and AIDS & Disability
c) Mother and Child Health / Early Detection and Intervention

At the end of the day the working groups will present their results in a plenary meeting.

Practical information

--> Download the invitation 
--> Download the registration form 

If you sign up as participant via Facebook you will receive updates about the event.
--> Download the Facebook link

If you cannot attend the event, you are welcome to follow the plenary sessions online via livestreaming on 3 December.
--> Download the link