Nothing about us without us—disability, gender and security

Women and girls with disabilities are often left out of the Women, Peace and Security (WPS) framework in South Caucasus and Eastern Europe. They face distinct challenges during conflict and recovery but remain underrepresented in peacebuilding and humanitarian planning.

With input from partner organisations, Kvinna till Kvinna has looked into what is needed to secure meaningful representation to ensure women and girls with disabilities are not left behind.

Download the publication in English (pdf)

Published 9 October 2025

Key data

  • 1 in 5 women globally live with a disability (compared with 1 in 8 men).
  • Conflicts worsen conditions. They increase disability rates and exacerbate existing ones.
  • Higher risks in crises. Persons with disabilities face greater mortality, difficulty evacuating, and reduced access to services.
  • Elevated risk of gender-based violence. Women and girls with disabilities are at increased risk of gender-based violence, especially during crises.

Main findings

  • Marginalisation in WPS. Disability rights, particularly those of women and girls with disabilities, remain sidelined in WPS frameworks.
  • Distinct impacts of conflict. Women with disabilities experience heightened risks: increased exposure to violence, more barriers to evacuation, and exclusion from peace processes, humanitarian planning, and recovery efforts.
  • Data & representation gaps. Lack of disaggregated data and systematic tracking prevents accountability and weakens policy responses.