skip to Main Content
KNOWLEDGEHUB
Violence against Women Living with Disabilities

Research from low- and middle-income countries suggests that women living with disabilities are twice as likely to experience intimate partner violence than women without disabilities. They are at increased risk of other forms of violence, including sexual abuse and disability-specific forms of violence, such physical neglect or denial of care, over- or under-medication, emotional abuse focused on the disability, and economic exploitation. Violence can lead to new or more severe disabilities.

Warm orange and cool blue colours
01 An interplay of factors increases the risk of violence against women living with disabilities

Social and economic processes, including discrimination and stigma, exacerbate risks and vulnerabilities. They also make self-protection and access to services and prevention programming more difficult. These barriers can include limited outreach, difficulties with accessibility, and lack of disability-specific materials.

02 Few programmes or studies focus on violence against women living with disabilities

Despite calls by disability rights advocates for inclusive programming, few violence prevention programmes or services accommodate the needs of women living with disabilities. Nor is there much evidence on what works to prevent violence against women living with disabilities. One recent analysis of three intimate partner violence prevention programmes found that the programmes’ impact on violence was similar for women living with and without disabilities. However, their impact on other outcomes—economic empowerment and health—was more varied: women living with disabilities sometimes benefitted more, and sometimes less, than women without disabilities.

03 Certain measures are known to improve disability-inclusiveness

Analysis of these studies concluded we can ensure inclusion by measures such as:

  • Using recruitment and monitoring strategies aimed at people living with disabilities
  • Training staff in disability inclusion
  • Raising awareness of disability rights
  • Partnering with local disability organisations
  • Supporting the leadership of women and girls living with disabilities in programme design
OTHER RESOURCES
Back To Top