No matter when; no matter where, disability rights are human rights
08/03/2015
Dignity for Disability MLC Kelly Vincent claims International Women’s Day as a day to demand more recognition and rights for women with disability, both in Australia and overseas, calling on the Commonwealth Government to hold true to a 2013 promise to appoint an Australian Ambassador for Disability-Inclusive Development.
“It is disappointing that the role was announced back in July 2013, but there has been no action on that promise. There is so much work to be done in this area,” says Kelly Vincent.
“Australia has ratified the United Nations Convention on the Rights of Persons with Disabilities into law. It seems we are committed on paper but have failed to deliver in practice – at home and abroad.
“Women with disabilities in developing countries face multiple levels of discrimination, and abuse. There can be one level of inequality to due to disability, and another because of gender. This happens in the home, in education, in employment and in the wider community.
“It’s essential that Australia provide inclusive leadership and support through our funded aid programs. Otherwise, governments are reinforcing the stereotypes and barriers that prevent women with disabilities realising our basic human right to inclusion, education, employment, fair wages and access to society.
“It’s easy to dismiss these problems as those of other, far-off nations, but the hard truth is that women with disabilities in Australia also face discrimination at alarming rates.
“Equal access to education on sexual health and relationships which is adaptable and does not assume incapacity to learn; allowing true choice and control over which services a woman accesses and when, as well as making the workforce open and accessible to people with disabilities. These are some of the ways governments must combat the exclusion and isolation of people with disabilities, which can enable abuse and neglect.
“Additionally, public transport and domestic violence shelters are often not accessible, making it harder to escape in a practical way. Yet women with disabilities are statistically more likely to face abusive circumstances and domestic violence than our non-disabled peers, so it’s vital any supports or interventions are accessible to us.
“All of these factors must be part of all programs for women – not just on International Women’s Day, but every day,” said Ms Vincent.
