56th Session of the United Nations Commission on the Status of Women

PANEL - RURAL WOMEN & GIRLS WITH DISABILITIES: ECONOMIC

EMPOWERMENT & POLITICAL PARTICIPATION

A/Professor Helen MeekoshaWomen with Disabilities Australia and the University of New South Wales. Sydney

World overview• I billion people in the world are disabled, (WHO

2011) 15% of total population.• 80% of disabled people live in global South• 20% of the world’s poorest people are disabled,

tend to be regarded as the most disadvantaged.• Disabled women severely disadvantaged based

on a range of socioeconomic indicators, such as employment, education, income

• What do we know if we add rural and remote living into the equation?

The Tyranny of Distance• Literature examining intersection between rural/

remote, disability and gender almost non existent.• Need to look at the context of what is “rural” and

“remote” – how are these concepts represented• In indigenous communities, many of whom live in

remote and very remote in Australia disability blurs with many deprivations back to colonisation.

• 50% of Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander people aged 15 years and over had a disability or long-term health condition in 2008. (Australian Bureau of Statistics)

• Immigrants with temporary work visas ( 457) end up in remote and rural areas.

Waltja Tjutangku Palyapayi The geographical area where Waltja Tjutangku Palyapayi provides services. Waltja’s Association members are drawn from this vast area.Estimated population of Aboriginal people in this area is 13,000 spread over 900,000 square kilometres.

The following are the main language groups spoken in this area: Warlpiri, Luritja,Western Arrernte, Eastern Arrernte, Pintupi, Kaytej, Anmatyerre, Alyawarre andPitjantjatjara.

http://www.waltja.org.au/index.php/2011/07/service-area/

Summary of issues facing rural and remote disabled women in rural

Tasmania• Isolation – transport– fear and shame

• Lack of services and resources• Family ,networks and community• Diminishing employment opportunities• Poverty and extra costs of disability• Unemployment, loss of industry• Social Relationships• Abuse and violenceResearch done in rural Tasmania in December 2011

Economic Empowerment & Political Participation

• Remarkable resilience displayed by disabled women and girls in rural areas despite preconceptions and stereotypes

• But before economic empowerment and political participation, some essential first steps– disabled women need to have their voices and

stories heard– afforded both Recognition and Respect by

governments & broader society