Stigma and Discrimination Persist in Sexual Rights of People with Mental Illness

People living with mental illness continue to face stigma and discrimination, particularly regarding their sexual and reproductive rights. Many report being denied the opportunity to choose their partners or have children, a fundamental right for all individuals.

Bridget Nakigozi, a 30-year-old mother of one and resident of Kitete Cornerstone in Mukono district, shared her struggle with the stigma surrounding her condition.

Despite her desire to marry and live a fulfilling life like other women, her health status has become a significant barrier.

“When men find out about my mental illness, they disappear,” Nakigozi lamented, describing the discrimination she endures in her pursuit of love and stability.

Nakigozi’s experience is echoed by many others living with mental illness, including Racheal Ikomera, a mental health advocate attached to Triumph Mental Health Support Uganda, Veronica Mirembe Mukisa, and Robinah Nakanwagi Alambuya, an advocate for the rights of people with mental disabilities.

These women have called for an end to the stigmatisation and discrimination that marginalize them in matters of love, family, and community acceptance.

Human rights activists, led by Triumph Mental Health Support, Uganda Mental Health Fellowship, Atanekontola, in collaboration with Uganda Human Rights and the Disability Rights Fund, have launched an inclusive sexual and reproductive health rights awareness campaign to address the persistent stigma.

The campaign aims to foster greater understanding and acceptance of people with mental health conditions in society.

Oscar Walukhu Wakhooli, a disability rights advocate, emphasised the importance of addressing these issues. “We need to change societal perceptions and ensure that individuals with mental illnesses have equal opportunities to make decisions about their lives,” he stated, pointing out key laws that serve as barriers to the sexual and reproductive rights of people with mental illness.

He cited clauses in certain laws, such as the Marriage Bill, which lists mental disorder as one of the grounds for divorce.

Walukhu, who is a lawyer by profession, stressed the urgency of amending these laws to be inclusive, noting that Uganda ratified the UN Convention on the Rights of Persons with Disabilities.

Betty Enangu Nangoli, Regional Officer at Uganda Human Rights Office in Jinja, noted the significance of collaboration in combating stigma. “Raising awareness through inclusive approaches is crucial for addressing these challenges,” she said.

Dr. Yiga Daniel Mwesigwa, Country Director of My Story Initiative, highlighted the importance of fighting for the rights of persons with mental disorders, emphasising their potential to be mothers and fathers.

“I am a living example, having lived with mental illness since 1976. I am blessed with a wife and children,” Dr. Yiga shared.

“People with mental illness have the right to love, marry, and raise children without fear of discrimination. It’s time to break the stigma,” he concluded.

During a stakeholders’ dialogue in Jinja, the Deputy Mayor of Jinja City, Fazirah Kauma, who also represents people with disabilities at the Jinja City Council, called on parents and caregivers to desist from making decisions on behalf of people with mental illness.

“Sometimes they remove their uterus or castrate the men because they think when they have children, it will be another burden to them. That is wrong,” she said.

The common mental health conditions include anxiety disorders, bipolar disorder, and schizophrenia, among others.

As the campaign gains momentum, advocates hope to see a shift in attitudes, ensuring that all individuals, regardless of mental health status, can exercise their sexual and reproductive rights freely and without prejudice.