The architecture of a truly progressive society is not measured merely by its economic output or its technological advancements, but by the depth of its inclusivity. To advance social progress on a global scale, it is no longer sufficient to view disability rights as a secondary concern or a niche policy area. Instead, the international community is recognizing that the leadership, dignity, and fundamental rights of women and girls with disabilities are the very pillars upon which resilient communities are built. When environments are designed to be fully accessible and grounded in a robust human rights framework, the entire social fabric strengthens. From the management of care systems to the stabilization of post-conflict zones, the contributions of women with disabilities are proving to be indispensable catalysts for change.
Despite this clear potential, a persistent and pervasive gap remains between the ideal of equality and the lived reality for millions. Women and girls with disabilities frequently find themselves at the intersection of multiple forms of marginalization. They face a "double burden" of discrimination, where gender-based prejudices and disability-related barriers combine to create unique obstacles. These hurdles are not merely physical, such as the absence of ramps or elevators; they are deeply structural, manifesting in limited access to healthcare, restricted economic opportunities, and a systemic exclusion from leadership roles and public life. For many, the path to self-determination is blocked by outdated legal codes, social stigmas, and a lack of representative voices in the rooms where decisions are made.
Recognizing the urgency of this challenge, UN Women has significantly scaled its operations, currently working in more than 55 countries to dismantle these barriers. This global effort involves a sophisticated collaboration between national governments, organizations of persons with disabilities (OPDs), civil society groups, and international stakeholders. The goal is to move beyond tokenistic inclusion toward a model of meaningful participation. By fostering inclusive policies, the initiative seeks to ensure that the specific needs and expertise of women with disabilities are integrated into every level of governance and community planning.
One of the most transformative aspects of this work is the promotion and deployment of assistive technologies. In regions currently grappling with instability or the aftermath of conflict, such as Ukraine and Palestine, technology serves as a vital bridge to participation. In these contexts, as well as in countries like Georgia and Pakistan, the use of specialized digital tools and adaptive equipment allows women with disabilities to engage in the workforce, access education, and participate in political processes that would otherwise be out of reach. These technologies are not just gadgets; they are instruments of agency, allowing women to navigate their environments and voice their perspectives in the face of immense external pressures.
Parallel to the technological push is a focus on the "care economy," a sector that is frequently overlooked but remains the backbone of social stability. In nations such as Colombia, Kenya, Mozambique, Panama, and Tanzania, UN Women is partnering with various United Nations agencies to address the disproportionate burden of unpaid care work. Women with disabilities are often both providers and recipients of care, yet they are frequently excluded from the design of care systems. By promoting disability-inclusive care policies, these partnerships aim to reduce the time poverty faced by women, ensuring that care systems are sufficiently funded, professionalized, and accessible to all. This not only empowers individual women but also strengthens community resilience by creating more equitable and sustainable social support networks.
The advancement of these initiatives, however, is tethered to the availability of sustained and predictable funding. Without financial backing, even the most innovative policies remain theoretical. The UN Global Disability Fund stands as a cornerstone of this financial architecture, providing the resources necessary to scale up successful programs. Similarly, the UN Women Trust Fund to End Violence against Women plays a critical role in addressing the heightened risks of violence faced by women with disabilities. Research consistently shows that women with disabilities are more likely to experience physical, sexual, and emotional abuse than their peers without disabilities, often with fewer avenues for escape or redress. The Trust Fund supports local networks of women with disabilities, providing them with the resources to advocate for their own safety and to lead the charge in ending gender-based violence within their communities.
Furthermore, the emphasis on South-South cooperation has emerged as a powerful strategy for knowledge exchange. By facilitating dialogue and partnership between countries in the Global South, UN Women helps nations share best practices and localized solutions that are often more relevant than models imported from the Global North. This peer-to-peer learning fosters a sense of solidarity and allows for the adaptation of successful inclusion strategies to different cultural and economic contexts. It reinforces the idea that disability inclusion is not a Western export but a universal imperative that can be achieved through diverse, locally-led approaches.
As the international community looks toward the future, the 70th session of the Commission on the Status of Women (CSW70), scheduled for March 2026, represents a pivotal milestone. The focus of this upcoming session will be on women’s access to justice—a theme that is particularly resonant for those with disabilities. Access to justice is often the final frontier of equality; it is the mechanism through which rights are defended and accountability is enforced. For women and girls with disabilities, the legal system can often be an impenetrable fortress. Procedural barriers—such as the lack of sign language interpretation in courts, the absence of Braille legal documents, or the presence of laws that question the legal capacity of persons with disabilities—effectively deny them the protection of the law.
CSW70 will provide a critical global platform to address these structural and legal failures. It offers an opportunity for member states to commit to removing the "procedural silos" that prevent women with disabilities from seeking legal recourse. By centering the experiences of these women in the justice debate, the international community can begin to dismantle the biases that permeate judicial systems. This involves training judges, law enforcement, and legal professionals on disability rights and ensuring that the physical and digital infrastructure of the justice system is accessible to everyone.
The journey toward a disability-inclusive society is not merely a matter of charity or social welfare; it is a matter of fundamental justice and human rights. It requires a shift in perspective—from seeing women with disabilities as passive recipients of aid to recognizing them as active leaders and agents of change. Their leadership in peacebuilding, for instance, has shown that inclusive peace processes are more durable and reflective of the needs of the entire population. Their involvement in economic life proves that diversity is a driver of innovation and productivity.
UN Women’s commitment to this cause remains unwavering, but the organization emphasizes that the responsibility for progress is shared. True accountability requires a collective effort from all sectors of society—private enterprises, academic institutions, and local grassroots organizations must all play a part in fostering an inclusive culture. The goal is to ensure that the future is not something that happens to women and girls with disabilities, but something they actively shape.
By removing the barriers to participation and investing in the leadership of women with disabilities, the world moves closer to the vision of a society where "social progress" is a reality for everyone, not just a privileged few. As the global community prepares for the landmark discussions of 2026, the message is clear: the advancement of women’s rights is inextricably linked to the advancement of disability rights. Only by embracing this intersectionality can we hope to build a world that is truly equitable, resilient, and just for all. The work being done in over 55 countries today is the foundation for that future, proving that when we invest in the inclusion of women with disabilities, we are investing in the progress of humanity itself.
