Inclusion Europe, the European Disability Forum and the European Women’s Lobby express their concern about the lack of women with disabilities at the conference held on 24 May on Women’s Rights at the Crossroads: Strengthening International Co-operation to Close the Gap between Legal Frameworks and their Implementation.
While this event rightly addresses violence against women and girls, we are concerned that it does not include any representatives of women with disabilities.
There are 46 million women and girls with disabilities in Europe.
Women with disabilities are 2 to 5 times more likely to be victims of violence than non-disabled women. They are subject to sterilisation and abortions against their will.
6 out of every 10 women with intellectual disabilities reported sexual violence.
How can the Council of Europe leave out such a significant part of those affected by violence and abuse?