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Description
The specific needs of women affected by disability (WAD) as well as their rights are not yet addressed in Lithuania. This includes higher probability of gender-based violence, violations of reproductive rights and limited participation in public and political life. WAD experience discrimination, stigmatization, objectivization and their need are not systematically represented by either women rights NGOs or disability NGOs.
This project at the intersection of gender and disability has twofold purpose (1) to empower a specific vulnerable group affected by gender, disability and intersection of both grounds and (2) bring their strengthened voice to public and political discourse on human rights. Rationale of the project structure is based on three interlinked levels of activities: on the first level the activities will take place in two regions, where groups of active WAD will be gathered, empowered and thus they will take action to bring awareness to their communities and also will engage in advocacy on local level (micro level); on the second level competences of NGOs dealing with women’s issues and disability will be improved to apply intersectional approach and create a platform for mutual cooperation (mezo level); also awareness raising will mainstream intersectional approach in public discourse on national level in order to better address sensitive issues of WAD through articles, radio programmes, podcasts, various visual materials and information package designed to present the topics of gender equality and gender-based violence for WAD on national level (macro level).
The expected outcomes of the project are the following: improved competences of WAD to advocate for their rights in two regions; NGOs working on issues of women and disability are bridged together and aware about vulnerability emerging from intersectionality; intersectional approach mainstreamed in public discourse to better address specific needs of WAD.
Summary of project results
The project aimed to empower women affected by disability to advocates for their interests at the local policy level; increase the competencies of CSOs to respond to gender and disability intersections; improve the visibility of women with disabilities in the public discourse.
The project focused on women with disabilities or women raising children with disabilities living in Tauragė district and Panevėžys city and district. In each region, 5 meetings for women were organized to improve their knowledge about gender and disability intersection, develop leadership skills, provide mutual support. Methods encouraging reflection and personal growth were used. These meetings transformed into active women’s groups – a basis for all regional activities: 6 meetings with the wider community of women with disabilities, 2 conferences, 7 advocacy activities, including the establishment of a Council of People with Disabilities under the municipal administration. The significant impact on attitudes towards women with disabilities in regional communities was confirmed by the omnibus survey. The involvement of partners in the region was crucial in achieving such results.
The intersection of gender and disability was presented to 133 representatives of disability and women''s NGOs, promoting their cooperation. The discourse on disability was formed based on social model of disability, inclusion, data, and personal stories. It was also transformed into a question relevant to the women''s rights movement. A wide range of communication channels and tools were used - 6 articles, 12 radio programs, 3 podcasts, 3 press releases, 2 outdoor posters, postcards, an accessible Feminist Guide, and almost 100 social media posts have been produced, with a combined reach of over 280,000 internet users.
The project succeeded in encouraging the activism of women with disabilities, bringing disability to the agenda of women''s rights movements, and strengthening organizations involved in the project.