On December 24, 2025, the Family Guidance Association of Ethiopia (FGAE) hosted a high-level commemoration of World Disability Day at the Premier Best Western Dynasty Hotel in Addis Ababa, bringing together representatives from the Ministry of Health (MoH), Organizations of Persons with Disabilities (OPDs), and other key stakeholders to advance inclusive Sexual and Reproductive Health (SRH) services for persons with disabilities in Ethiopia. The workshop aimed to strengthen partnerships with OPDs and foster collaboration to systematically improve both access to and the quality of SRH services for persons with disabilities.
The program opened with welcoming remarks by Ato Gebehu Mekonnen, Vice President of FGAE, followed by a keynote address from Dr. Alemayehu Hunduma, RMNCH Lead at the Ministry of Health, who outlined a strong strategic direction for the discussions. Dr. Elissa Girma, IPPF East and South Africa WISH2 Project Lead, then shared insights into the WISH2 Project, highlighting tailored interventions designed to meet the specific SRH needs of persons with disabilities.
FGAE presented an overview of the current WISH2 Project inclusive interventions in Ethiopia, while the Federation of Ethiopian Associations of Persons with Disabilities (FEAPD) provided context on the SRH situation of persons with disabilities, assessed existing disability-inclusive approaches, examined the broader national landscape, and identified key gaps and ongoing challenges. Participants engaged in a reflective dialogue session, analyzing the current status of inclusive approaches for persons with disabilities and discussing systemic barriers that continue to hinder progress.
In closing, Dr. Alemayehu Hunduma emphasized priority actions for the way forward, including making inclusion non-negotiable, translating rights into tangible services, strengthening partnerships, ensuring accessibility across the health system, leveraging data for informed decision-making, and actively engaging the media to promote disability inclusion.