Gender-based violence
Women and girls with disabilities experience higher rates of gender-based violence; they are two to three times more likely to experience physical or sexual abuse in comparison women without disabilities. Additionally, women with disabilities also face distinct and heightened risks of violence and abuse, uniquely related to having a disability.
This can involve withholding essential medication, food, or water, denying access to assistive devices, or refusal of caregiving, which further exacerbates their isolation and heightens their dependence on those who may be perpetuating the abuse. Compounding these challenges, women and girls with disabilities face significant barriers when seeking support, including reporting incidents of abuse and violence within the justice system.
Resources in this section provide evidence and research relating to violence against women and girls with disabilities, and practical examples of ways development programs can ensure that women with disabilities are included in programs that address gender-based violence.
CBM-Nossal (2024) Disability Equity and Rights Essay: Eliminating violence against all women and girls
This ‘Disability equity and rights: Challenges, opportunities, and ways forward for inclusive development’ publication was prepared under the DFAT – CBM Inclusion Advisory Group Disability Inclusion Technical Partnership, an Australian aid initiative implemented by CBM Inclusion Advisory Group and the Nossal Institute for Global Health at the University of Melbourne.
UNFPA (2018) Young Persons with Disabilities: Global Study on Ending Gender-based Violence and Realizing Sexual and Reproductive Health and Rights
This study by UNFPA provides an analysis on the situation of young people with disabilities concerning discrimination and gender-based violence, including the impact on their sexual and reproductive health and rights.
United Nations Special Rapporteur on violence against women and girls, its causes and consequences (2012) Advancement of Women
This report provides an overview of the activities of the Special Rapporteur on violence against women and girls, its causes and consequences and discusses the issue of violence against women with disabilities.
Women’s Refugee Commission & UNICEF (2018) Guidance on Disability Inclusion for GBV (Gender-Based Violence) Partners in Lebanon: Outreach, Safe Identification, and Referral of Women, Children and Youth with Disabilities
This resource is designed to support frontline workers, community volunteers and mobilizers who are working in gender based violence (GBV) prevention and response, and their supervisors, to foster inclusion of persons with disabilities in their community activities.
Gupta, J et al. (2018) Disability status, intimate partner violence and perceived social support among married women in three districts of the Terai region of Nepal
This study examines the associations between severity of disability impairment, past-year intimate partner violence (IPV), past-year in-law violence, and perceived social support among married women in Nepal.
CBM Australia & Cameroon Baptist Convention (2022) What’s stopping women with disabilities from reporting gender based violence?
This study was undertaken by CBM Australia’s partner, the Cameroon Baptist Convention, to better understand what stops women and girls with disabilities in the Northwest region of Cameroon from reporting incidents of sexual violence and domestic abuse.
