Older women and those with disabilities at ‘particular risk’ of abuse - WHO
Geneva, Switzerland (PANA) - Older women and women with disabilities face particular risk of abuse, yet their situation is largely hidden in most countries’ statistics on victims of violence, according to two new publications released on Wednesday by the World Health Organisation (WHO).
The UN agency is calling for governments to carry out more thorough research that will help ensure these women are counted, and that their specific needs are understood and addressed.
The data and evidence of gender-based violence amongst these groups show a high prevalence.
One systematic review found greater risks of intimate partner violence for women with disabilities compared with those without, while another also found higher rates of sexual violence.
“Older women and women with disabilities are under-represented in much of the available research on violence against women, which undermines the ability of programmes to meet their particular needs,” said WHO’s Dr. Lynnmarie Sardinha, who is the author of the briefs and an expert on data relating to violence against women.
“Understanding how diverse women and girls are differently affected, and if and how they are accessing services, is critical to ending violence in all its forms.”
Intimate partner and sexual violence are the most common forms of gender-based violence globally and affect around one in three women.
Older women and women with disabilities are still subjected to these types of violence but also face specific risks and additional forms of abuse, sometimes at the hands of caregivers or healthcare professionals.
These include coercive and controlling behaviours such as withholding of medicines, assistive devices or other aspects of care, and financial abuse.
-0- PANA MA 28March2024
