Diverse Ability
July 2005
Banner photo: HEINRICH VAN DEN BERG/WWI/Still Pictures
Women's Issues
Internationally, disabled women belong to the most marginalized group. There are more than 250 million disabled women in the world today, approximately three quarters of whom live in developing countries. Yet international development programs rarely address the needs of disabled women or include them in development ventures.
Of course, disabled men and women have issues in common which affect them equally. But there are many issues which affect and discriminate against disabled women specifically. These include sexuality, motherhood, bioethics, violence, sexual violence, education and professional training, jobs, health care and personal assistance.
In the developing world, disabled girls are often excluded from even basic education, because of a general perception that education is more necessary for boys. Disabled women are thus forced into economic dependency. Even in the industrialized countries, it is difficult for disabled girls to get training in as many professions as nondisabled girls. Marriage opportunities for disabled girls may be lower than for nondisabled girls, which means that education and training are even more important for them. Disabled women, however, are even more discriminated against than disabled men when it comes to employment.
Violence against women is most prevalent among disabled women. Disturbingly, statistics tell us that disabled girls and women are more likely to be sexually abused than nondisabled girls and women. Political pressure is needed to establish social support mechanisms and facilities for disabled women.
Many disabled women are prevented or discouraged from having children out of fears that their children might also be disabled. A woman should have the right to choose whether she wants to have a baby or not, and all children should be welcomed into the world and provided with appropriate levels of social, practical and financial support.
In order to bring about change, disabled women have to talk about their special issues and demand political change. Disabled women need to be included and specifically mentioned in all relevant laws and regulations.
Every disabled girl and woman (as well as boys and men) must get the support they need so that they are able to participate in all human activities: parenting, sexual activities, education, employment, leisure, culture and politics.
People with disabilities have the right to participate in the life of the community, to live a decent life. And disabled women themselves have to define what a decent life means for them--not politicians or anybody else.
Dinah Radtke is chair of the Women’s Committee and Deputy Chairperson on Human Rights for Disabled Peoples International.
