“Working to Improve Our Own Futures”: Inclusion of Women and Girls with Disabilities in Humanitarian Action

Contents

Acronyms & Abbreviations

Executive Summary

Key findings

Key recommendations

Introduction

Background

Methodology

Online survey of disability and humanitarian actors

Key informant interviews

Participatory self-assessments for women DPO leaders

Limitations

Findings from the Global Mapping

Inclusion of women and girls with disabilities in humanitarian response

Gaps and barriers to inclusion of women and girls with disabilities

Gaps in policy development and implementation

Negative attitudes of family members and communities

Limited staff knowledge, attitudes, and practices

Lack of champions and local partners

Strategies that foster inclusion of women and girls with disabilities

An organizational commitment to translate policy into practice

Advocacy by and partnerships with organizations of women with disabilities

Women with disabilities in leadership roles

The role of donors

Organizations of women with disabilities – Their role in humanitarian action

Strengths of women with disabilities and their organizations

Conducting assessment and monitoring

Mobilizing women with disabilities in affected populations

Bringing expertise to partnerships with humanitarian organizations

Gaps and barriers that women with disabilities and their organizations face in humanitarian action

Accessing funds and organizational capacity

Exclusion from both the disability and women's rights movements

Perceptions (and misperceptions) about capacity

Lack of awareness on humanitarian issues, architecture, and processes

Capacity development needs and goals of organizations of women with disabilities

Training on humanitarian action

Training on specific topics that impact women and girls with disabilities in crisis contexts

Project development and support on soliciting funds

Conclusion and Recommendations

Strengthen accountability for inclusion of women and girls with disabilities

Increase support to organizations of women with disabilities in crisis-affected countries

Promote the leadership of women and girls with disabilities in humanitarian action

Notes