March 8, 2024: For women with disabilities in the global South, International Women's Day presents a predicament. While it is a day to celebrate accomplishments, it also shines a light on the many difficulties, and constant challenges faced by us on a daily basis. As a woman with a disability living in Pakistan, this day holds significant importance to me. It also gives me a platform to draw attention to the fact that a celebration of this day must go together with a commitment to intersectionality.
Women with disabilities at a workshop on assistive technology in Dhaka
Women with disabilities comprise 19.2% of all women. Even so, our issues continue to be relegated to the disability agenda and not included in the larger women and gender agenda. The space for women and girls with disabilities in the larger gender and feminist rights movement, while significantly more open than earlier, continues to be limited. Women with disabilities are also underrepresented in decision making roles. There is a connection to barriers to opportunities with the lack of access to Assistive Technology (AT). AT constructively corresponds to inclusivity for women with disabilities in the social framework of a biased society. Yet, in low-income countries only 10% of people have an AT they need.
On this International Day for Women, let us stand together in our relentless obligation in making a reality where every woman is valued, respected, and allowed the opportunities to reach their highest potential. To all the stakeholders of equality, freedom and respect, the world leaders - I call upon you to recognize and advocate for the multifaceted difficulties faced by our oppressed and marginalized community, including the lack of access to Assistive Technology. Our voices, encounters, and stories can and should inform constructive policies across the globe. Engage us!
Yusra Gilani is an AT Fellow with IDA. Read more about this fellowship here.
You can read more about AT and the Unlock The Everyday campaign here.
