BOX 8. REPRODUCTIVE RIGHTS AND DISABILITIES (CONT.) A major step taken by the international community to promote and protect the rights of ­persons with disabilities was the adoption of the Convention on the Protection of the Rights of Persons with Disabilities (CPRD) in 2006. The Convention came into force in 2008. One of the most important characteristics of the Convention is its paradigm shift, making d ­ isabilities a societal problem, and not an individual one. State parties, not the individual person with disabilities, are responsible for the promotion of rights, including reproductive rights. Several articles of the Convention refer to sexual and reproductive health. Article 25 is especially ­relevant, requiring states to ensure equal access to health services for persons with disabilities, with specific mention of sexual and reproductive health and population based public health programmes. While the promotion of rights for persons living with disabilities has generally progressed, there is still a long way to go. For example, according to WHO, “persons with disabilities are up to three times more likely than non-disabled persons to be victims of physical and sexual abuse and rape. Persons with intellectual and mental disabilities are the most vulnerable”.14 NHRIs can play a role promoting the rights of persons with disabilities through training, ­monitoring and raising awareness of the human rights issues involved. Just as NHRIs should try to mainstream their programmes with respect to gender, so they should with respect to disabilities. UNFPA and the WHO have come up with “Ten key messages that raise awareness:” 1. Disability is everyone’s business. 2. Persons with disabilities are not necessarily sick. 3. Persons with disabilities have sex too. 4. Access means more than ramps. 5. Persons with disabilities want the same things in life that everyone wants. 6. For persons with disabilities prejudice can be the biggest barrier. 7. Everywhere and always, persons with disabilities are entitled to self-determination, ­privacy, respect and dignity. 8. It is best and usually easy to mainstream health services that accommodate persons with disabilities. 14 WHO and UNFPA, Promoting sexual and reproductive health for persons with disabilities (2009). 94