Terms of Reference (TOR): for Consulting Service to develop Training Manuals and Reference Booklets for Teachers, Health Professionals and the Public on Sexuality and Reproductive Health Education and Services
Organizational Background
Nia Foundation is an indigenous, nonpolitical, non-religious and nonprofit making organization established in May 2002 in Ethiopia. The Foundation was re-registered as per the new Charities and Societies proclamation number 621/2009 as an Ethiopian Residents Charity Organization bearing registration # 0854.
Nia Foundation’s - Joy Center for Autism is a pioneer organization in Ethiopia commenced to serve persons with Autism and Related Developmental Disorders. The Foundation was actively engaged in community awareness creation activities side by side with the center based holistic rehabilitation services.
Our awareness raising engagements are mainly focused on transmitting information to the public, professionals, the government and other stakeholders concerning mainly the cause, nature, characteristics, psychosocial & economic impacts, and intervention methods through organizing different events including workshops, festivals, mass walks, mass drives, different IEC materials production and distribution.
We were very successful through the years in implementing intensive center based holistic rehabilitation program which showed very prominent and encouraging outcomes in the life conditions of the children with autism we serve and their parents.
On the other hand, we have also been programmatically engaged from day one to intervene on the issue of adolescents and youth sexual and reproductive health. Throughout the international literature on reproductive health, young people are frequently characterized as being an ‘at risk’ group for STIs, unwanted pregnancy and a variety of other sexual health problems. These negative reproductive health outcomes are observed in an increased prevalence and with a multiplied effect among persons with Autism specifically and other forms of disorders/disabilities in general. Therefore, it is essential that national and international health and development efforts focus not only on young people but specifically those with special needs such as Autism; particularly in relation to their sexual and reproductive health.
Autism is a lifelong neuro-developmental disorder that affects the brain’s function. People in the spectrum often: find social interaction difficult, have problems with verbal and non-verbal communications, demonstrate restrictive and repetitive behavior, have a limited set of interests and activities, and experience over or under sensitivity to sounds, touch, tastes, smell, light or colors.
Typical of any human being, youth with autism and related developmental disorders have the right to seek and receive information about sexuality and reproduction, access reproductive health services and contraception, live free from discrimination, coercion and violence; including rape and other sexual violence, forced pregnancy, abortion, sterilization, and marriage and the likes.
Nevertheless, the importance of providing quality and individualized RH and sexuality intervention is substantial because individuals with Autism Spectrum Disorder (ASD) have unique needs, that may not be addressed in RH and sexuality programs designed for the general public.
Without individualized training regarding the various facets of RH and sexuality education, individuals with ASD may more likely be victims of sexual abuse and other RH problems. Individuals with ASD are at an increased risk of sexual abuse for at least two reasons: (a) they are often unable to provide reports to parents, professionals, or law enforcement about sexual abuse due to communication deficits; and (b) they may fail to report sexual abuse because they are unaware it is wrong.
Sexuality and RH intervention for individuals with ASD should be supported by three important factors. First, social deficits common to persons with ASD render them particularly prone to sexual abuse. Second, persons with ASD have the universal right to learn about relationships, marriage, parenthood, and appropriate sexuality. Often, social skills and communication deficits render people with ASD unable to acquire RH rights, sexuality, relationship, and intimacy skills from the natural environment. Importantly, absence of a clear understanding of appropriate RH and sexuality increases the likelihood of inappropriate sexual behavior among persons with ASD. Finally, sexuality education for persons with ASD facilitates good hygiene, promotes health, and prevents unwanted pregnancy.
Despite a higher level of estimated prevalence of the disorder, youth with autism and related disorder in the country are not given the right and resources they need to take care of their reproductive health and to meet their needs related to sexuality. It is also evident that reproductive health education and services are frequently unavailable or unfriendly for these segments of the community.
Despite continual advancements in interventions in the developed world, little attention has been given to the sexuality and RH issues in Ethiopia. In line with this, unaddressed SRH knowledge gap of and unfriendly SRH services for youth with autism and other related disorders is a major problem in the capital city and all over the country in general.
Unless these adversely affecting factors are dealt with, adolescents and youth with autism and related disorders would continue to be more vulnerable to discrimination, abuse and sexual harassment, STIs including HIV contracting, unwanted pregnancy, increased contraceptives un-met need, and deprived overall SRH rights. These factors would increase the inequality gap among the society and the rates of morbidity and mortality as well.
Therefore, the foundation is under implementation of a project entitled ‘Promoting Autism Friendly SRH Approaches in Addis Ababa’ aiming to provide tangible opportunity to adolescents and youth with autism and related disorder in terms of developing their knowledge and practices towards improved SRH. Furthermore, the project will try to contribute to the better understanding of recommended approaches to mainstream Autism friendliness in RH programmes among government executives and other stakeholders, and increase public demand especially among parents/guardians of adolescents and youth with autism and related disorders for quality SRH services.
Purpose of the consultancy
For the project to meet its specific objectives, we seek for consulting service in production of training manuals and reference booklets on sexuality and reproductive health issues of adolescents and youth with autism and related disorders. The specificities are;
Scope of the work
In close collaboration with the project team; the consultant;
Important issues to be considered
The Teachers’ Training manual should include the basic training areas such as:
Deliverables
The key deliverables include;
Duration
The consultant is expected to complete all the preparatory tasks and submit the deliverables within two months of time. Ideally, the consulting assignment is expected to resume from October 1, 2018 and ends by November 30, 2018.
N.B: Priorities of activities and deliverables may be rescheduled based on consultations.
Reporting relationship
Qualification of the consultant
Education:
Experience:
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