Women in Pakistan
Conference of States Parties to the Convention on the Rights of Persons with Disabilities
New York, 12-14 September 2012
Discussion Paper for the Informal Session: Women with Disabilities
Note by the Secretariat 1
A. Introduction
1. More than 1 billion persons worldwide experience some form of disability. Within this group, women experience higher prevalence of disability2 and disproportionately high rates of poverty. At the same time, women living in poverty are at an increased risk of becoming disabled due to such factors as inadequate access to health care, including maternal health care, poor living conditions, malnutrition and health endangering employment.
2. In all regions of the world, persons with disabilities face marginalization and significant barriers to the full realization of their rights and to their inclusion in society and development. Women with disabilities experience multiple discrimination, based both on gender and their disability, and therefore often must confront additional disadvantages in comparison to men with disabilities. Some may face further discrimination based on other aspects of their identities, such as minority or indigenous status.
3. Women with disabilities often lack access to services essential to the full enjoyment of their human right and fundamental freedoms. For example, in terms of health care, women with disabilities must contend with inaccessible clinics and procedures, lack of accessible information and lack of awareness and appropriate training among health-care providers. They are less likely to receive general information or information that is gender and disability-specific on sexual and reproductive health, or to have access to family planning or maternal health services.
4. Women with disabilities have limited access to education and consequently demonstrate lower educational attainment compared to the general population. While existing data is limited, a commonly quoted
New York, 12-14 September 2012
Discussion Paper for the Informal Session: Women with Disabilities
Note by the Secretariat 1
A. Introduction
1. More than 1 billion persons worldwide experience some form of disability. Within this group, women experience higher prevalence of disability2 and disproportionately high rates of poverty. At the same time, women living in poverty are at an increased risk of becoming disabled due to such factors as inadequate access to health care, including maternal health care, poor living conditions, malnutrition and health endangering employment.
2. In all regions of the world, persons with disabilities face marginalization and significant barriers to the full realization of their rights and to their inclusion in society and development. Women with disabilities experience multiple discrimination, based both on gender and their disability, and therefore often must confront additional disadvantages in comparison to men with disabilities. Some may face further discrimination based on other aspects of their identities, such as minority or indigenous status.
3. Women with disabilities often lack access to services essential to the full enjoyment of their human right and fundamental freedoms. For example, in terms of health care, women with disabilities must contend with inaccessible clinics and procedures, lack of accessible information and lack of awareness and appropriate training among health-care providers. They are less likely to receive general information or information that is gender and disability-specific on sexual and reproductive health, or to have access to family planning or maternal health services.
4. Women with disabilities have limited access to education and consequently demonstrate lower educational attainment compared to the general population. While existing data is limited, a commonly quoted