Page 342 - RUICHSS 2023 Proceeding

University of Ruhuna ISSN: 2706-0063
Matara, Sri Lanka

An Exploratory Study of Perceptions of SRH Education
Among Female University SWDs: Student Perspectives

2
1*
Chandima Jayasena , Ishari Gunarathna and Abhishek Thakur 3
1
Department of Social Work, Pondicherry University
2
Faculty of Arts, University of Peradeniya
3
Department of Social Work, University of Delhi
1
chandimaij@yahoo.com *

Abstract

Sexual and reproductive health (SRH) education is a fundamental component of health
education, integral to the well-being of individuals across diverse communities. Ensuring its
accessibility to all, regardless of disabilities, is paramount. In Sri Lankan Sinhala society, the
confluence of social constructs regarding disability and gender significantly influences the
experiences of students with disabilities and their access to SRH education. The research
problem addressed in this study is to explore female students' perspectives of perceptions, and
barriers to the accessibility, quality, and effectiveness of Sexual and Reproductive Health
(SRH) education for female university Students With Disabilities (SWDs). Utilizing a
qualitative research approach, this study employed telephone interviews, one focus group
Zoom interview, interviews of two key informants, and a snowball sampling method to delve
into the lived experiences of university female students with disabilities regarding their access
to SRH education. This study involved students with full and partial visual impairment and
locomotor disabilities. The study included a diverse sample of 11 female and four male
students with disabilities, with thematic analysis as the chosen method for data analysis. This
research reveals substantial barriers hindering university students with disabilities,
particularly females, from accessing SRH education. The exclusion of these students from
SRH education emerges as a pressing concern demanding immediate attention. This study
underscores the imperative to dismantle the prevailing social constructs that intersect
disability and gender, ensuring that SRH education is universally accessible. In conclusion,
this study underscores the critical importance of providing inclusive SRH education to
promote the health and well-being of all individuals, transcending age, gender, or ability. It
emphasises the urgency of addressing the unique challenges faced by female university
students with disabilities to foster a more equitable and inclusive educational environment.
Ultimately, promoting comprehensive SRH education for all is not just a matter of health but
social justice and equality.
Keywords: SRH Education, Female Students with Disabilities, Qualitative Research
Approach, Perception
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