Pralhad is Humanity & Inclusion’s regional communications officer for India, Nepal and Sri Lanka.

He led communications for an Inclusive Futures project which tested ways of improving access to and uptake of sexual and reproductive health services and information for young people with disabilities in Nepal.The project:

• helped over 800 people with disabilities and 1,100 of their family members to access inclusive sexual and reproductive health services and information.
• reached more than 530 women, men, girls, and boys, with and without disabilities through behaviour change communications aimed at reducing stigma and discrimination.
• trained more than 60 health workers from 30 community health facilities on how to offer inclusive sexual and reproductive health information and services.
• provided support to 30 public health care facilities and one provincial hospital to carry out structural changes to improve accessibility for people with disabilities.

Here he explains why he’s passionate about using communications to change negative stereotypes around disability.

Pralhad’s story

“During my school years, when I was growing up in my village, I had a mentor who had a disability. He was one of the most hardworking people I have ever met, and he inspired me from a very early age.

“Around 25 years later, I started working for an international NGO that promotes disability inclusion and inclusive development – Humanity & Inclusion. I had a chance to meet my mentor again and I shared my work with him. I felt proud that he was my first teacher.”

Inclusive sexual and reproductive health and rights

“How people access sexual and reproductive health and rights (SRHR) information and services, can be affected by their gender, disability, stigma, as well as the availability of information and communication about such services.

“These barriers are usually more intense for women and girls with disabilities. Sometimes families and peers can be reluctant for women and girls with disabilities to get married or have a relationship so it’s considered that they do not need access to SRHR services. In this way, they are underestimated and denied their reproductive rights, which can lead to further discrimination and humiliation.

“To eliminate harmful practices and provide better access to services, it’s important that we raise awareness about SRHR in communities and ensure that women and girls with disabilities can make decisions about their own sexual and reproductive health and speak their own minds.”