The pursuit of a more equitable world is often measured by macroeconomic indicators and legislative milestones, yet the true barometer of social progress lies in the inclusion of those most frequently pushed to the margins. Central to this transformation is the recognition that global development cannot reach its full potential without the active leadership, dignity, and protected rights of women and girls with disabilities. This demographic represents a vast, untapped reservoir of resilience and innovation, contributing vital perspectives to care systems, economic stability, community endurance, and international peacebuilding. When environments are designed to be fully accessible and grounded in a human-rights-based approach, societies do not merely become more "fair"; they become fundamentally stronger and more adaptable to the challenges of the twenty-first century.
Despite the clear benefits of an inclusive society, the reality for millions remains defined by a pervasive "double discrimination." Women and girls with disabilities navigate a world where barriers are not just physical, but systemic and psychological. They face a unique intersection of gender-based bias and disability-related exclusion, which compounds to limit their access to essential services, education, and professional advancement. In many regions, these barriers are so deeply entrenched that they prevent participation in public life entirely, effectively silencing the voices of those who are often best equipped to lead community-level change. From the lack of accessible transport to the absence of sign language interpreters in government buildings, the infrastructure of modern life continues to treat disability as an afterthought rather than a core consideration of citizenship.
In response to these systemic failures, UN Women has intensified its global operations, currently working across more than 55 countries to dismantle these hurdles. The organization is collaborating with a diverse coalition of national governments, organizations of persons with disabilities (OPDs), civil society groups, and international stakeholders to foster a paradigm shift. The goal is to move beyond the traditional "charity model" of disability, which views individuals as passive recipients of aid, toward an "empowerment model" that recognizes them as architects of policy and social change. These efforts are not theoretical; they are impact-driven initiatives designed to produce tangible improvements in the daily lives of women and girls.
One of the most transformative frontiers in this struggle is the integration of assistive technology. In countries currently facing acute crises or undergoing rapid transition—such as Georgia, Pakistan, Palestine, and Ukraine—UN Women is prioritizing the distribution and training of technological tools that bridge the gap between exclusion and participation. In conflict-affected areas like Ukraine and Palestine, assistive technology is more than a convenience; it is a lifeline. It allows women with disabilities to access emergency information, maintain communication with support networks, and continue their professional or educational pursuits despite the destruction of physical infrastructure. In Pakistan and Georgia, these tools are being used to break down the barriers to political participation, ensuring that women with disabilities can vote, run for office, and engage in the digital economy on equal footing with their peers.
Beyond technology, the global care economy remains a critical focal point for reform. In Colombia, Kenya, Mozambique, Panama, and Tanzania, UN Women is partnering with various UN agencies to address the disproportionate burden of unpaid care work. This issue is particularly acute for women with disabilities, who may require care while simultaneously providing it to others within their families. By advocating for policies that recognize, reduce, and redistribute unpaid care, these programs aim to free up time for women to pursue leadership roles and economic opportunities. This work also involves strengthening South–South cooperation, allowing countries in the Global South to share successful strategies for building inclusive social protection systems that do not leave the disabled population behind.
However, the ambition of these programs is often tethered to the availability of sustainable resources. Funding remains the primary engine of progress, and initiatives like the UN Global Disability Fund serve as the backbone for international efforts. Furthermore, the UN Women Trust Fund to End Violence against Women plays a specialized role in addressing a dark reality: women with disabilities are significantly more likely to experience domestic violence and sexual assault than those without disabilities, yet they have the least access to shelters, legal aid, and police protection. By funding grassroots networks of women with disabilities, these financial instruments ensure that those at risk have the tools to advocate for their own safety and lead the charge in ending gender-based violence within their communities.
Looking toward the immediate future, the international community is preparing for a landmark event: the 70th session of the Commission on the Status of Women (CSW70), scheduled for March 2026. This session will be uniquely focused on women’s access to justice, providing a high-level platform to scrutinize the legal and procedural barriers that prevent women and girls with disabilities from seeking redress for rights violations. Access to justice is often the "missing link" in disability rights; a law may exist on paper to protect a woman’s rights, but if the courtroom is inaccessible, if the legal documents are not available in Braille, or if the judiciary holds biased views about the testimony of persons with disabilities, then justice remains out of reach. CSW70 represents a critical moment for member states to commit to removing these structural obstacles and ensuring that the rule of law applies equally to all.
The focus on justice also involves a rigorous examination of legal capacity. In many jurisdictions, women with disabilities are still subjected to guardianship laws that strip them of their right to make decisions about their own lives—from healthcare and finances to where they live and whom they marry. UN Women’s advocacy ahead of the 2026 commission emphasizes the need for supported decision-making models that respect the autonomy of the individual while providing the necessary assistance to navigate complex legal landscapes.
As the world moves toward the midpoint of the decade, the commitment to accountability must be accelerated. The leadership shown by women with disabilities in peacebuilding efforts—often ignored in mainstream media—serves as a testament to their indispensable role in social cohesion. In post-conflict settings, women with disabilities are frequently the ones rebuilding the social fabric of their neighborhoods, ensuring that the needs of the most vulnerable are factored into reconstruction plans. Their inclusion is not a "special interest" issue; it is a prerequisite for any society that hopes to be resilient in the face of climate change, economic volatility, and political instability.
The road ahead requires a total rejection of the status quo. It demands that governments move beyond tokenism and integrate disability inclusion into every ministry, from finance and labor to education and justice. UN Women continues to stand as a partner to those ready to do this work, emphasizing that the future of global communities must be shaped by those who have lived through the greatest challenges. By fostering societies that respect the rights and leadership of women and girls with disabilities, the world does more than fulfill a moral obligation—it unlocks a future of unprecedented social and economic potential. The message is clear: true progress is only possible when the path forward is accessible to everyone.
