MY RIGHT TO KNOW: DEVELOPING SEXUALITY EDUCATION RESOURCES FOR LEARNERS WITH INTELLECTUAL DISABILITIES IN THE WESTERN CAPE, SOUTH AFRICA

Abstract

In South Africa, the continuing HIV pandemic and high prevalence of sexual abuse focus attention on the vulnerability of persons with intellectual disabilities and highlight the need to provide them with comprehensive sexuality education. Access to sexuality education is intrinsic to supporting sexual health as well as any possibility of informed consent (or self protection) in relation to sexual behaviour with others or sexual health treatment, such as contraception. The right to access information relating to sexual health programmes is enshrined by the UN Convention on the Rights of Persons with Disabilities and South African law, such as the Constitution. Learners and adults with intellectual disabilities are frequently denied this information due to negative beliefs toward their sexuality and learning capabilities compounded in Southern Africa by a paucity of programmes, training and resources to accommodate their learning needs. Over the past 10 years, the Western Cape Forum for Intellectual Disability (WCFID) has developed materials to enable educators and health care workers to provide sexuality education to this neglected population group. This article broadly describes the content and methodology of one such programme for learners with intellectual disabilities alongside contextual and other factors that impact on sexuality education for people with intellectual disabilities in South Africa.