PACE today emphasised that violence against women with disabilities, whether physical, sexual, psychological or economic, remained a taboo subject. The parliamentarians believe that society infantilises women with disabilities by not allowing them to make informed choices about their lives, including their sexual and reproductive health and rights, adding that their invisibilisation and continued economic and social dependence created a context of heightened vulnerability
By unanimously adopting a resolution today, on the basis of the report by Béatrice Fresko-Rolfo (Monaco, ALDE), the Parliamentary Assembly proposed a series of measures to prevent and combat this violence. In particular, it called on member States to prohibit forced sterilisations and forced abortions and ensure that those who have suffered violence of this type receive compensation
According to the adopted text, States should make the inclusion of persons with disabilities a priority, supporting their access to education, employment and culture, investing in accessibility and promoting their participation in economic, cultural, political and public life. They should also include a gender dimension in national disability policies.
Other proposed measures include training for health care professionals and social workers on the rights, autonomy and needs of women with disabilities, as well as reinforced monitoring of institutions for persons with disabilities by independent bodies.