Women with disabilities: many voices, all worth hearing

The 2030 Agenda for Sustainable Development and workplace gender equality certifications have drawn increasing attention in recent years to the issue of gender disparity. In Western societies, being a woman can present significant challenges, especially in economically and culturally deprived contexts. Education often becomes less accessible due to entrenched stereotypes, and women are frequently expected to take on caregiving roles. Yet, women make up half the world’s population.

Then there are women with disabilities. Being disabled doesn’t erase one’s gender or identity. However, disability adds another layer of discrimination and makes carving out a space in society even more difficult. Unfortunately, social discrimination doesn’t cancel out but compounds. For women with disabilities, this means facing a simple equation: multiple forms of discrimination stack up. Studies conducted in Italy and across Europe confirm that women with disabilities face a significantly higher risk of violence. And this is no small number—there are 60 million women with disabilities in Europe alone.

What Kind of Violence?

Popular perceptions often reduce violence to narrow stereotypes: rape or attacks by strangers in dark alleys. While these images are powerful, they don’t reflect the majority of violence experienced by women, including women with disabilities. Most violence occurs at home, often inflicted by partners, parents, or other close persons.

For women with disabilities, the perpetrators may also include caregivers, assistants, or professionals tasked with supporting them. This violence often takes the form of coercion, neglect, or deprivation. For example, essential aids like wheelchairs may be hidden or damaged, or guide dogs may be taken away to limit independence. Financial abuse is common too—denying women access to their bank cards to make them economically dependent.

At its most extreme, violence manifests in tragedies that dominate headlines, where parents kill their daughters with disabilities, often described as being "unable to cope anymore." What situation, exactly, couldn’t they handle? This narrative itself is a form of violence. A femicide is a femicide, plain and simple—not an act of love by a parent driven to the edge. Such acts must be reported for what they are: terrible crimes, not romanticized as desperate sacrifices.

What Is Europe Doing?

The European Union has not ignored the issue of violence against women with disabilities. On April 24, 2024, the European Parliament passed the Directive on Combating Violence Against Women. Rooted in the UN Convention on the Rights of Persons with Disabilities, the directive explicitly recognizes the heightened risks faced by women experiencing intersecting forms of discrimination, including women with disabilities.

The directive also calls for accessible educational and informational materials—both digital and non-digital—on violence against women. It acknowledges that women facing intersecting discrimination are more vulnerable to violence and emphasizes the need to address these specific challenges.

Moving Forward

Legislation and communication efforts in Europe indicate that violence against women with disabilities is a recognized issue. However, much work remains to raise awareness among women with disabilities about their rights and experiences of violence and to encourage media to address this sensitive topic with respect and accuracy.

Fortunately, there are promising initiatives and dedicated organizations working tirelessly to advocate for the respectful protection of women with disabilities. For more information, we recommend visiting the website of the European Disability Forum.

Dajana Gioffrè

Chief Visionary Officer AccessiWay