The National Council for Women (NCW) released the findings of the first national study conducted on violence against women with disabilities on February 27, in partnership with UNFPA, the Central Agency for Public Mobilization and Statistics (CAPMAS), UN Women and UNDP.

The study revealed that 48 percent of those surveyed were subjected to physical, psychological, sexual or disability-based violence since they were 15. Moreover, 61 percent of ever-married women with disabilities were subjected to violence by their husbands. 

The study surveyed 5616 women with visual or hearing impairments, physical or other types of disabilities, aged 18 and above in most of Egypt’s governorates.

“Today we witness the launch of the findings of one of the most important studies conducted on one of the most important issues facing women with disabilities in our time," Maya Morsy, President of the National Council for Women, said.

On her part, Germaine Haddad, UNFPA Assistant Representative, congratulated NCW on the study, saying it is aligned with the United Nations priorities to leave no one behind.

“We will continue to work with our partners to ensure access to quality services by women subjected to violence, by supporting and improving legal, health and social services, as well as training service providers to respond to the needs of women with disabilities,” Haddad said.

Women and girls with disabilities are more likely than other women to experience gender-based violence in the private and public spheres, including at their homes and family settings and schools.

The event also brought together Khairat Barakat, Chairman of CAPMAS, Heba Hagras, Rapporteur on the Committee of Women with Disabilities, Christine Arab, Representative of UN Women, and Alessandro Fracassetti, Resident Representative of UNDP. 

To read the study, please visit this link.