On the occasion of this year’s International Day of Persons with Disabilities, PLAN Foundation reaffirms its dedication to advancing the rights and well-being of Persons with Disabilities (PWDs), particularly Young Girls and Women with Disabilities, through its EMBASSY Project in Oyo State. The project, funded by AmplifyChange, focus on eliminating multiple barriers to sexual and reproductive health services among them by promoting accessibility, inclusion, and sustained institutional reform.
The 2025 global theme, “Fostering disability inclusive societies for advancing social progress,” resonates deeply with the EMBASSY Project’s mission and progress so far.
Reflecting On The EMBASSY Project
As part of this year’s commemoration, PLAN Foundation reflects on one of its key projects that advances equitable rights for persons with disabilities: Eliminating Multiple Barriers to Sexual and Reproductive Health Services among Young Girls and Women with Disabilities in Oyo State (EMBASSY) Project.
The EMBASSY Project is dedicated to improving access to inclusive, disability-friendly sexual and reproductive health (SRH) services for women and girls with disabilities, who continue to face discrimination, stigma, and structural barriers when seeking essential care. The project addresses these obstacles while promoting their sexual and reproductive health rights.
Implemented in partnership with the Oyo State Agency for Persons with Disabilities, PLAN Foundation leads strong advocacy efforts engaging government ministries, health agencies, healthcare institutions, disability organizations, civil society groups, and community leaders. Together, we built a multi-sectoral movement committed to ensuring accessible SRH services and monitoring the implementation of inclusive policies and programs. Ultimately, the project also established a sustained coalition of government and non-state actors dedicated to improving SRH access for women with disabilities across Oyo State.
Key Achievements Of The EMBASSY Project (Since December 2023)
Since its launch, the EMBASSY Project has recorded significant milestones aimed at improving access to inclusive sexual and reproductive health (SRH) services for young girls and women with disabilities (WGWDs) in Oyo State
- Formation of the Multi-Sectoral “EMBASSY Team” Coalition
Through sensitization and consensus-building meetings held between December 2023 and January 2024, a dedicated advocacy coalition known as the EMBASSY Team was established. This coalition includes government ministries, health agencies, disability-rights organizations, civil society groups, training institutions, media partners, and community leaders. Together, they are committed to sustained advocacy and promoting inclusive SRH services for women and girls with disabilities.
2. Stakeholder Orientation, Mapping, and Baseline Assessment
An orientation and objective-setting meeting was convened with key partners, including the Oyo State Agency for Persons with Disabilities, media groups, and other stakeholders.
A comprehensive stakeholder mapping and baseline survey followed, covering relevant ministries and government agencies such as the Ministry of Health, Oyo State Primary Health Care Board, Ministry of Women Affairs, as well as community structures. This assessment identified service gaps and informed the design of targeted interventions.
3. Development of Inclusive SRH Service Infrastructure
Fifteen (15) healthcare facilities across Oyo State were identified and designated as disability-friendly SRHR centers, improving access to safe, inclusive, and equitable sexual and reproductive health services for women with disabilities.
4. Training and Capacity Building for Healthcare Providers
A three-day capacity-building workshop held in February 2024 brought together representatives from healthcare institutions, training facilitators, the Oyo State Agency for Persons with Disabilities, community leaders, and media partners. The workshop produced a draft training manual and curriculum aimed at equipping healthcare workers with the skills to deliver disability-inclusive SRH services.
5. Integration of Disability-Inclusion into Allied Health Education
In partnership with the University of Ibadan, disability-inclusion content is being integrated into nursing and allied health education programs. This strengthens institutional capacity and supports long-term sustainability of inclusive healthcare delivery.
These achievements demonstrate meaningful progress toward dismantling the physical, institutional, and social barriers that have historically limited access to essential SRH services for women and girls with disabilities in Oyo State.
A Call to Action on World Disability Day 2025
As we honour persons with disabilities worldwide, PLAN Foundation calls on:
- Government and Institutional Stakeholders — to fully implement disability-inclusive policies, guarantee accessibility in health and public facilities, adopt and enforce the new SRH-inclusion curriculum across health training schools, and ensure adequate budget allocation for accessible SRH services.
- Health Service Providers and Training Institutions — to integrate disability-inclusive sexual and reproductive healthcare in curricula and practice, ensuring PWDs receive dignified, respectful and accessible services.
- Media, Civil Society, Community and Faith-Based Actors — to support advocacy, challenge stigma, and amplify the voices of PWDs, thereby fostering a culture of inclusion and respect for the rights of persons with disabilities.
PLAN Foundation reiterates that persons with disabilities are entitled to the full enjoyment of their sexual and reproductive rights, just like all other citizens. Through the EMBASSY
Project and future initiatives, we will undertake we remain committed to turning these obligations into tangible, lasting change. However, achieving sustainable impact requires continued collaboration, strengthened partnerships, and conscious action that extends beyond project timelines.
About PLAN Foundation
PLAN Health Advocacy and Development Foundation (PLAN Foundation) is a leading health and development NGO with over two decades of proven impact. The organization delivers evidence-based advocacy, capacity building, coalition strengthening, community engagement, and service delivery across public health, non-communicable diseases, disability inclusion, poverty alleviation, and climate-smart agriculture. Serving policymakers and marginalized populations especially women, young people, and persons with disabilities. PLAN Foundation has implemented programs in more than 24 states in Nigeria and continues to influence civil society networks and policy platforms nationally, regionally, and globally.
PLAN Foundation is a member of the International Association of Providers of AIDS Care (IAPAC), the World Patients Alliance (WPA), the International AIDS Society (IAS), the Global Network of People Living with HIV (GNP+), the Stop TB Partnership, the International Alliance of Patients’ Organizations (IAPO), the International Union Against Tuberculosis and Lung Diseases (IUATLD), the Global Health Council (GHC), as well as various other relevant regional and global networks, movements, and professional associations aligned with its vision of a Nigeria where the individual, family, and community are adequately empowered to protect themselves against poverty, underdevelopment, and the spread of diseases.
For more details on PLAN Foundation, engage us on our social media accounts on
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Ifedayo Osemwegie,
Advocacy, Strategic Communication and Media Officer,
PLAN Health Advocacy and Development Foundation (PLAN Foundation)
+2348038320421
ifedayo@planfoundation.org.ng
