Women Enabled International Global Map of Advocates: Enabling a Global Human Rights Movement for Women and Girls with Disabilities

The Global Disabled Women’s Rights Advocacy Report

March 20th 2016

“Women with disabilities are women too!” Stephanie Ortoleva at UN Committee on the Status of Women (CSW) 2012

Description of Survey and Mapping Project: WEI received generous funding from an anonymous donor for a Survey and Mapping Project with a goal to foster a greater understanding of human rights advocates, both from within and outside the women’s rights and disability rights movements, on the rights of women and girls with disabilities. Through an online survey launched on August 18, 2015 and interviews conducted in January and February 2016, WEI is producing this comprehensive mapping report of the field of advocates for the rights of women and girls with disabilities globally and nationally, released on March 8, 2016, International Women’s Day.

WEI’s Survey and Mapping project illustrates the scope and depth of the growing global field of disabled women’s rights organizations and advocates, and serves as an empowering organizing tool to share strategies. This report includes a comprehensive analysis of gaps and trends in international and national legal frameworks and advocacy for the rights of women and girls with disabilities, including their sexual, reproductive health and rights, preventing and ending gender-based and sexual violence, education rights, employment rights, access to justice, legal capacity, and land rights and rights to financial assets, and more. This first-ever report and global map includes data analysis and infographics of the leaders, venues, and locations where women’s disability rights advocates and organizations are especially active, where the gaps are, and where there are opportunities for collaboration. This report is posted on WEI’s website, and has been distributed to survey participants and others and we hope it will be very helpful in achieving greater collective action and impact. Through this Mapping Project, WEI seeks to empower a Collaborative Partnership for joint actions among women with disabilities and their allies globally to push for more systemic and inclusive human rights policies and programs.