Did you know that women and girls with disabilities make up 16% of all women in the United States of America? Moreover, a thorough analysis of the CDC’s 2020 Behavioral Risk Factor Surveillance System indicates that 36% of LGBTQIA+ adults, including an astonishing 52% of transgender adults, self-identify as having a disability.

The intersection of gender identity and disability and other factors like race have led to systemic discrimination, restricting the full exercise of civil and political rights.

Our collective submission with the United States Gender and Disability Justice Alliance, Autistic Women and Nonbinary Network, and the Autistic People of Color Fund to the UN Human Rights Committee underscores the pressing issues faced at this intersection in the U.S. and provides a comprehensive overview of human rights violations under the International Covenant of Civil and Political Rights (ICCPR) relating to sexual and reproductive health and rights, gender-affirming health care, freedom of expression, and political participation.

To address these violations, we recommend that the U.S. ratify the CRPD and CEDAW Conventions, providing an intersectional human rights framework for all future efforts. Additionally, we advocate for the creation of robust federal legislation aimed at reducing the harms of recent decisions, especially concerning people with disabilities who belong to various historically marginalized backgrounds and identities.

Explore our submission to the UN Human Rights Committee below for deeper insights and recommendations.