Article 6 - Women with Disabilities

Convention of the Rights of Persons with Disabilities (CRPD) - Article 6 - Women with Disabilities

In this survey, we are specifically seeking information about Article 6 of the CRPD, which addresses Women with Disabilities and Girl Children. To learn how to give your input on other CRPD articles please visit BCANDS website.

To see Article 6 please follow this link

To view all of the observations and recommendations from the Committee on the Rights of Persons with Disabilities please see the concluding remarks in the initial report on Canada.

Below are the CRPD Committee’s Concluding Observations with respect to Article 6 - Women with Disabilities - in response to Canada’s first report:

15. The Committee is concerned that women with disabilities face intersectional discrimination, including in access to justice, which particularly affects Indigenous women with disabilities. It is also concerned about the lack of information on legislation to promote the economic empowerment of women with disabilities through legislation and public policies on gender equality.

16. The Committee, in line with its General Comment No. 3 (2016) on women and girls with disabilities, recommends that the State party:

(a) Ensure that the federal strategy against gender-based violence includes lines of action and specific programs and benchmarks to address all forms of violence against women and girls with disabilities;

(b) Remove barriers and develop inclusive practices in order to create financial and practical support and address prejudices and negative stereotypes;

(c) Ensure that Indigenous women with disabilities have access to available education programs, are aware of their rights under the Convention and have access to the support available to claim their rights;

(d) Bear in mind its obligations under Article 6 of the Convention while implementing targets 5.1, 5.2 and 5.5 of the Sustainable Development Goals.

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* 1. The Concluding Observations include the reality of intersectional discrimination in the lives of women and girls with disabilities. DAWN Canada is focused on the need for both a gendered understanding of disability, as well as the need for a better understanding of everyday experiences with respect to intersecting identities.

On International Women's Day, DAWN Canada released its’ report More Than A Footnote: A Research Report on Women and Girls with Disabilities in Canada.

Read the executive summery here

This report examines the longstanding issues women and girls with disabilities face – social exclusion, high rates of violence, poverty and, homelessness, barriers to education and employment and lack of accessible services. Of note is the reports inclusion of data to support calls for intersectional understandings of lived experience.

Have you read the report and/or executive summary?

If yes, did you feel the research highlighted in this report helped further your understanding of the need for intersectional research where women and girls with disabilities are concerned?

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* 2. Recommendation 16(a) calls for a gender-based violence initiative that includes specific actions and benchmarks to address all forms of violence against women and girls with disabilities.

What would you recommend for specific actions and benchmarks that the Government of Canada should take?

Actions:

Benchmarks:

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* 3. Recommendation 16(b) seeks to remove barriers and develop inclusive practices to address financial and practical forms of support to counter negative stereotypes.

Do you know of any examples of promising practices that the Government of Canada can learn from? If so please share:

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* 4. Recommendation 16(c) seeks to ensure Indigenous women with disabilities have access to education programs and are aware of their rights.

What are some practical things the Government of Canada can do to ensure this?

Is there a role for civil society and Indigenous organizations here. If so, how do you see this role?

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* 5. Recommendation 16(c) notes the following targets:

5.1 End all forms of discrimination against all women and girls everywhere

5.2 Eliminate all forms of violence against all women and girls in the public and private spheres, including trafficking and sexual and other types of exploitation

5.5 Ensure women’s full and effective participation and equal opportunities for leadership at all levels of decision-making in political, economic and public life

The absence of an intersectional lens has demonstrably failed many women and girls with disabilities in Canada. What key recommendations would you make towards improving outcomes for women with disabilities on the above targets?

5.1

5.2

5.5

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* 6. DAWN Canada is committed to working with other stakeholders to address the gaps identified in the Concluding Observations in Article 6. What key roles or actions do you believe DAWN Canada and other stakeholders should take?

Government of Canada:

DAWN Canada:

Other stakeholders (please specify):

Article 6 - Women with Disabilities