The pursuit of global social progress is often framed through the lenses of economic growth, technological innovation, and political stability, yet a fundamental pillar of this evolution remains under-addressed: the full inclusion and leadership of women and girls with disabilities. For decades, the global community has treated disability as a secondary concern within the broader movement for gender equality. However, a growing body of evidence and advocacy, spearheaded by organizations like UN Women, suggests that the strength of any society is directly proportional to how well it respects the rights, dignity, and agency of its most marginalized members. True advancement is impossible if a significant portion of the population is systematically excluded from the environments where decisions are made and futures are shaped.
Women and girls with disabilities are not merely recipients of aid; they are essential architects of community resilience. Their contributions span the entire spectrum of social infrastructure, from the intricate workings of care systems and economic life to the high-stakes arenas of peacebuilding and international diplomacy. When environments are made fully accessible and grounded in a human rights-based approach, these women demonstrate an unparalleled capacity for leadership. Yet, despite their proven potential, the reality for many remains defined by a "double burden" of discrimination—marginalized both for their gender and their physical or cognitive differences. These overlapping barriers create a labyrinth that limits access to essential services, stifles economic opportunities, and effectively silences their voices in public life.
To combat these systemic hurdles, UN Women has intensified its global footprint, currently operating in more than 55 countries to dismantle the status quo. This work involves a multi-pronged strategy that bridges the gap between grassroots activism and high-level policy change. By partnering with governments, organizations of persons with disabilities (OPDs), civil society groups, and international stakeholders, the organization is fostering a world where accessibility is a right rather than a luxury. This mission is particularly vital in regions where social safety nets are thin and where the intersection of poverty and disability can lead to total social isolation.
One of the most transformative aspects of this work is the promotion of assistive technologies. In the modern era, digital inclusion is synonymous with social inclusion. In countries such as Georgia, Pakistan, Palestine, and Ukraine, UN Women is championing the use of specialized tools—ranging from screen readers and mobility aids to customized digital platforms—that allow women with disabilities to participate in the workforce and political processes. In conflict-affected areas like Ukraine and Palestine, these technologies are not just tools for convenience; they are lifelines that enable women to navigate dangerous environments, access emergency information, and maintain their roles as community leaders amidst upheaval. By prioritizing technological equity, these initiatives ensure that women with disabilities are not left behind by the rapid digitalization of the global economy.
Parallel to the technological push is a profound focus on the "care economy." In nations like Colombia, Kenya, Mozambique, Panama, and Tanzania, UN Women is working alongside other UN agencies to rethink how care is distributed and valued. Historically, women have borne the brunt of unpaid care work, a burden that is often compounded for women with disabilities or those caring for family members with disabilities. These partnerships aim to reduce this unpaid labor through better policy frameworks and more robust community support systems. By integrating disability inclusion into the heart of the care agenda, these programs are not only freeing up time for women to pursue education and employment but are also ensuring that care systems themselves are dignified and responsive to the needs of those they serve.
However, the ambition of these programs requires more than just political will; it requires sustained, flexible, and substantial financial investment. The UN Global Disability Fund stands as a cornerstone of this financial architecture, providing the necessary resources to scale up inclusive policies worldwide. Furthermore, dedicated initiatives like the UN Women Trust Fund to End Violence against Women play a specialized role in addressing a harrowing reality: women and girls with disabilities are significantly more likely to experience physical, sexual, and psychological abuse than their peers without disabilities. The Trust Fund supports a global network of activists and survivors, providing the funding necessary to create safe spaces, legal aid, and specialized support services. This financial commitment is essential for advancing the rights, safety, and leadership of women who have long been overlooked by traditional funding streams.
As the global community looks toward the future, a major milestone looms on the horizon: the 70th session of the Commission on the Status of Women (CSW70), scheduled for March 2026. This landmark session will place a specific, intensive focus on women’s access to justice. For women and girls with disabilities, the justice system is often a place of exclusion rather than protection. Legal, structural, and procedural barriers—ranging from physically inaccessible courthouses to a lack of sign language interpretation and the dismissal of testimony from women with intellectual disabilities—continue to deny them equal protection under the law. CSW70 represents a critical juncture for the international community to come together and dismantle these barriers once and for all. It is an opportunity to rewrite the legal frameworks that have historically failed to provide equal support and access to justice for every woman, regardless of her ability.
The journey toward a disability-inclusive society is not a task for a single organization or government; it is a collective responsibility that requires a fundamental shift in how we perceive human value and capability. It demands that we move beyond the "charity model" of disability, which views individuals as objects of pity, and embrace a "rights-based model" that recognizes them as active, entitled citizens. This means ensuring that when we talk about women’s empowerment, we are including the woman in a wheelchair in a rural village, the girl with a learning disability in a bustling city, and the elderly woman with a sensory impairment in a conflict zone.
UN Women’s commitment to this cause is unwavering. By fostering South-South cooperation, the organization is facilitating a global exchange of knowledge where countries can learn from each other’s successes and challenges. A policy that successfully integrates women with disabilities into the labor market in Colombia can provide a blueprint for similar efforts in Mozambique. A legal victory for disability rights in Pakistan can inspire legislative reform in Georgia. This interconnected approach builds a global movement that is stronger than the sum of its parts.
The stakes could not be higher. When women and girls with disabilities are empowered to lead, they bring unique perspectives that make societies more innovative, more empathetic, and more resilient. They are often the first to identify gaps in community services and the most creative in solving complex social problems. To ignore their potential is not just a human rights failure; it is a strategic error for any nation seeking to thrive in the 21st century.
As we march toward 2026 and beyond, the focus must remain on accountability. It is not enough to make promises or sign declarations; there must be a rigorous follow-through to ensure that policies are implemented and that women with disabilities are at the table where those policies are written. The future of social progress depends on our ability to see the invisible, hear the silenced, and recognize that a society is only truly "advanced" when it belongs to everyone. UN Women remains at the forefront of this battle, working tirelessly with partners across the globe to ensure that every woman and girl with a disability can fully exercise her rights, claim her space in the sun, and play a leading role in shaping the future of her community and the world at large.
