Disabled intimacies: sexual and reproductive citizenship of disabled women in Portugal
According to the 2001 census, there are 636,059 disabled people in Portugal (6.1% of the overall population). Despite transformative laws and policies, the lives of disabled people are still marked by exclusion, poverty and prejudice. Within this group, disabled women are in a particularly vulnerable position, accumulating the inequalities based on disablism and sexism.
In Strand 1, Disabled women and sexuality, we want to consider sexually-related topics within the realm of coupledom (marriage, cohabitation or non-cohabiting relationships), but also experiences of sexuality as a single person, including the right to pleasure and to self-determination. In Strand 2, Disabled women and reproduction, we wish to explore the intersection of disability and motherhood from a gendered perspective, considering not only biological motherhood, but also adoption, co-parenting and fostering. Under this strand, we will also be interested in experiences of surrogacy and assisted conception, the legal frame of which places Portugal in a particular position when compared to its European counterparts. In addition, we will consider the role of professionals and family members in women’s decisions regarding sexuality and reproduction (Strand 3, Cultural representations).
Five regional seminars, targeting feminist activists, disabled people, NGO and health professionals, students and policy makers. International Conference. Document on good practices to promote feminist disability mainstreaming in law, social policy and civil society to be distributed to MPs, local authorities and NGOs.
Website: www.ces.uc.pt/projectos/intimidade
Facebook: http://www.facebook.com/intimidadedeficiencia
Associação Portuguesa de Deficientes (APD)
União de Mulheres Alternativa e Resposta (UMAR)
Ana Lúcia Santos
Bruno Sena Martins
Cecília MacDowell Santos
Cláudia Nogueira
Fernando Fontes
Lia Raquel Neves
Paula Pinto