ARJC 2024: A Disability-Inclusive Perspective
By Zarghoona Wadood
Join Zarghoona Wadood as she shares her journey as a disability and sexual and reproductive health and rights advocate with the Asia Safe Abortion Partnership and tells us about her experience attending the Abortion and Reproductive Justice Conference 2024.
First things first: What is ARJC?
The Abortion and Reproductive Justice Conference, or ARJC for short, is a space that aims to bring together academicians and activists and provide a forum for shared learning and strategizing as well as networking on the issues of abortion and reproductive justice. This year, the Conference was held in Bangkok, Thailand, and I -together with other colleagues from Pakistan- had the opportunity to participate in it and ensure the perspectives of persons with disabilities were included in the discussions.
The Conference was organized by the Asia Safe Abortion Partnership (ASAP), the only safe abortion rights advocacy network in Asia. ASAP has partners and members in 23 countries across South, South East Asia and South West Asia, Oceania, and the Pacific region, and has rich experience in organizing conferences and mobilizing resources and participants.
My experience advocating at the intersection of SRHR and disability rights in Pakistan
ASAP prioritizes inclusion by empowering persons with disabilities. For instance, the members of the Pakistan Advocacy Network, which comprises a dedicated group of young individuals driven by their passion to champion sexual and reproductive health and rights (SRHR), have been trained and certified on safe abortion and SRHR. Among the members who received the training and certification are three women with disabilities, myself included, who advocate for the rights and needs of their communities.
I have now been working with ASAP on the cause of SRHR and its intersection with disability rights for seven years. Reflecting on my journey, I recall the moment I applied for the Institute on SRHR in Colombo, Sri Lanka. Being fortunate enough to be selected marked a significant turning point in my career, opening the door to new opportunities and a deeper understanding of SRHR and disability as intersecting issues.
Prior to my involvement with ASAP, I had been focused on advocating for individuals with disabilities for over a decade. However, it was a personal health challenge coupled with the insensitive treatment I received from medical professionals that motivated me to amplify the voices of women with disabilities. ASAP has been instrumental in advancing the conversation around inclusion in matters concerning SRHR and disability.
Participating in ARJC 2024
Now serving on ASAP’s Steering Committee, I found myself eagerly anticipating ARJC. Representing my community on such a sensitive topic was a profound honour. As I delved into my research and prepared my notes for panels, each day brought new insights into the challenges faced by women with disabilities in general and specifically in Pakistan. Preparing for the conference not only widened my knowledge but also made me realise that how important it is to raise my voice for those who are unheard and how much responsibility I have on me.
The conference provided numerous eye-opening experiences, highlighting the reality that inclusion is more than just a checkbox on an organization’s agenda. True progress necessitates genuine inclusion. One key takeaway was the understanding that disability isn’t simply an add-on to discussions but rather a key point in its own right. Creating inclusive spaces is imperative to ensure diverse voices are heard.
For me, the conference served as a springboard for ongoing learning. The lessons learned from the ARJC are invaluable and will undoubtedly inform future actions in advancing the rights of women with disabilities, including SRHR. I’m confident I did my best to strengthen the capacity of SRHR advocates to know how important it is to include people with disabilities in these conversations.
About the author
Zarghoona Wadood is a disability rights advocate and has a diverse experience of 13 years in gender, disability inclusion and SRHR. She has represented her community at at national and international level and has worked with different UN Agencies. She is eager to bring her passion for inclusive development through communication strategies, coupled with her practical expertise, to contribute efficiently utilizing her knowledge and potential to achieve the outstanding results. She has recently won the Centennial Award for her significant contributions to the disability movement by Rehabilitation International Organization.
