Every year, International Disability Day shines a spotlight on the challenges faced by persons with disabilities. However, one crucial aspect that often goes unnoticed is how these challenges intensify when disability intersects with gender.
For women with disabilities, life presents a distinct and often invisible struggle—one where their dual identities, as women and persons with disabilities, amplify inequalities, increase vulnerability to exploitation, and deepen marginalization.
Disability itself is a marginalized identity in many societies, with individuals frequently encountering barriers to education, healthcare, employment, and social inclusion. When gender is added to this equation, these obstacles become even more formidable. Women with disabilities face a unique form of discrimination rooted in entrenched gender norms and stereotypes. They are often perceived as weak, dependent, and less capable, further restricting their opportunities and silencing their voices.
The many dimensions of exploitation
Exploitation of women with disabilities manifests in numerous ways, each compounding the other to entrench a cycle of vulnerability. Economically, they face systemic exclusion from the workforce, and when employed, they often earn significantly less than their able-bodied or male peers. Socially, they are pushed to the margins in both family and community spheres, and frequently denied opportunities to engage in meaningful decision-making processes.
The heightened risk of gender-based violence is perhaps the most alarming challenge. Research reveals that women with disabilities are up to three times more likely to experience physical, emotional, and sexual abuse. Their reliance on caregivers and the absence of accessible support systems make them particularly vulnerable. Compounding this, societal stigmas around both disability and gender create significant barriers, often deterring these women from seeking the help they need.
Systemic barriers
Systemic barriers further deepen the exploitation of women with disabilities. Policies designed to support individuals with disabilities often overlook the unique challenges faced by women, failing to incorporate gender-specific considerations. Meanwhile, critical infrastructure—educational institutions, workplaces, and public spaces—remains largely inaccessible. Essential gender-sensitive services, such as maternal healthcare and vocational training, are severely lacking, leaving women with disabilities without the resources needed to thrive.
Representation is another key challenge. Women with disabilities are rarely seen in leadership roles or advocacy platforms, which means their voices are seldom heard in shaping policies or programs that directly impact them.
Building an inclusive future
Addressing the multifaceted challenges faced by women with disabilities requires a holistic and targeted approach. Governments must prioritise strengthening legal protections to safeguard their rights, ensuring robust enforcement against exploitation and abuse. Policies should move beyond mere inclusivity in rhetoric to incorporate both gender-sensitive and disability-inclusive practices at every stage of development and implementation.
Equally vital is making education and vocational training accessible, empowering women with disabilities to achieve financial independence and self-reliance. Community-driven awareness campaigns can play a transformative role in challenging harmful stereotypes, fostering a culture of respect, and promoting inclusion at every level of society.
Finally, women with disabilities must have a seat at the table in decision-making processes. Providing them with platforms to share their voices and lead initiatives is essential. Their lived experiences and insights are invaluable for shaping policies and programs that reflect the realities of their lives, paving the way for a truly inclusive future.
Conclusion
The intersection of gender and disability presents profound challenges that demand urgent attention. Women with disabilities deserve more than passive acknowledgement of their struggles; they need tangible and meaningful support, equitable opportunities, as well as an environment where they can flourish.
This International Disability Day, let us reaffirm our commitment to building a society that celebrates their identities rather than marginalises them and values their potential instead of overlooking it. True inclusivity begins when we tackle these intersectional barriers head-on, ensuring that no one is excluded from the promise of a better future.
