Ģ��ֱ��

The results of the doctoral research by Virpi Mesiäislehto (MSocSc) demonstrate that the human rights-based approach has gaps in advancing the sexual and reproductive health and rights of Tanzanian adolescent girls with disabilities.

The human rights model based on individualism does not adequately portray the perspectives of Tanzanian girls with disabilities. For them, entitlements and responsibilities are based on relationships and due to disability often on asymmetrical obligations.

According to the results, the informal community and familial networks sustain and at times constrain the realization of sexual and reproductive health and rights in this East African country.

Afrocentric voices emphasize the importance of community

Knowledge based on the perspectives of girls with disabilities is scarce. Mesiäislehto analyzed the cross-disability perspectives of 199 Tanzanian girls with disabilities about sexual and reproductive health and rights.

A global North-oriented view of sexual and reproductive health was considered a disruption of the gendered process of social maturation. Negative sexual and reproductive health outcomes, such as unintended pregnancies and sexually transmitted infections, also had similar negative implications.

Together these create a detrimental cycle that compromises the belonging of girls with disabilities to the informal social networks that are crucial for their well-being.

When human rights language does not impress

Based on empirical research from Tanzania, Mesiäislehto has developed a new approach for re-establishing the worth of girls with disabilities and redefining moral obligations to advance their sexual and reproductive health.

This belonging-based model of disability complements the human rights-based model by centering the role of relationships and belonging to a community.

To avoid the disconnect with Tanzanian realities, advancing sexual and reproductive health of girls with disabilities should draw perspective and direction from the role that belonging to familial and community networks play for lifelong health and well-being.

The new model of disability could be applied by development professionals and researchers in contexts in which human worth is not primarily understood through human rights, and where sexual and reproductive health and rights are contested.

Virpi Mesiäislehto (MSocSc) defends her doctoral dissertation in Development Studies “Sexual and reproductive health and rights through the lens of belonging: Intersectional perspectives on disability, gender, and adolescence in Tanzania” Monday 7th of August 2023, 12:00hrs EEST (UTC+3) in Agora-building, Auditorio 2 (AgB105), Mattilanniemi Jyväskylä, Finland. The opponent is Professor Elina Oinas (University of Helsinki) and Custos is Associate Professor Tiina Kontinen (Ģ��ֱ��). The event is held in English.

If a member of the audience wants to ask questions at the end of the public examination, it is possible to contact the Custos. The phone number of the Custos is +358-40 485 6718.

The publication is available at:

The audience can also follow the event online at:

Live captioning and Tanzanian Sign Interpretation are provided online and at the venue.

You may access live captioning at: or with the following QR code:

Bio:

Virpi Mesiäislehto (MSocSc) is an international development professional with over ten years of experience in the development sector from multilateral, bilateral, community-based, and civil society-driven development initiatives. Her expertise is focused on operationalizing disability inclusion in development programmes. Mesiäislehto has worked on advancing disability inclusion in sexual and reproductive health and rights, for instance, through policy dialogues and standards and norms development. She has collaborated with a wide range of stakeholders including UN agencies, civil society organizations, and organizations of persons with disabilities in both global South and North.

For more information and accessibility requests:

Virpi Mesiäislehto, virpi.m.mesiaislehto@student.jyu.fi