Disability and desires

Sexuality of a person with disability is often an overlooked predisposition. To speak of the big, fat elephant in the room, a Mumbai-based non-profit organisation, Point of View, is organising a program Sexuality and Disability for sexual rights of women with disabilities. This is in collaboration with the global movement One Billion Rising, a campaign that uses arts to talk about women’s rights.

According to the organiser, the idea is to celebrate women with disabilities as full and complete human beings, which they are often not considered. The programme is in continuation with the theme to raise collective voice against exploitation and violence against women.

The evening will have Bollywood choreographer Sandip Soparrkar and actress Sharbani Mukherji perform a piece in support of the cause. In addition, there will also be a spoken word performance by Aishwarya Kamat, and stand up comedy by disability activist Nidhi Goyal.

“The aim is to celebrate diverse bodies and freedom from exploitation,” explains Nidhi, who is the sexuality and disability programme director at POV. Working at the intersection of disability and gender, she is committed to changing the lives of women and girls with disabilities. Nidhi’s work spans research, writing, training, campaigns, advocacy, and art.

Sexuality and Disability is to be held today, from 6 pm onwards, at Daughters of  St Paul, Waterfield Road, Bandra (W).