The European Disability Forum issued an urgent appeal to European decision-makers on Friday 1 March with the publication of its third manifesto, entitled “Empowerment and Leadership”, which focuses on improving the rights of women and girls with disabilities.
Accounting for 25.9% of Europe’s female population, these women and girls face systemic marginalisation, which the manifesto seeks to combat through concrete measures.
The document targets four main areas: political participation, combating violence, leadership and visibility, and empowerment in all aspects of life. It stresses the importance of the participation of women with disabilities in the political process, the criminalisation of forced sterilisation and forced abortion, and promotes their independence and leadership role in society.
In a press release, the Chair of the Forum’s Women’s Committee, Pirkko Mahlamäki, stressed the need for women and girls with disabilities to be recognised and supported as leaders and changemakers, in line with the movement’s motto: “Nothing without us”.
This manifesto is a call to action for inclusion, both within the European Union and national governments.
Read the manifesto: https://aeur.eu/f/b3p ; https://aeur.eu/f/b3r
Infographic from the survey on women and girls with disabilities in Europe: https://aeur.eu/f/b3s (Original version in French by Nithya Paquiry)