The World Health Organization (WHO) has drawn attention to the increased vulnerability of older women and women with disabilities to abuse, a concern often overlooked in global and national violence-related data.
The health agency stressed the urgent need for improved research efforts across countries to accurately document the experiences of these women and address their specific needs.
Recent WHO publications highlighted the limited data available on gender-based violence among older women and women with disabilities, despite evidence indicating a high prevalence of such abuse.
One systematic review revealed elevated risks of intimate partner violence and sexual violence among women with disabilities compared to those without disabilities.
Lynnmarie Sardinha, Technical Officer at WHO and the UN Special Programme on Human Reproduction (HRP) for Violence against Women Data and Measurement, emphasized the importance of understanding the diverse impacts of violence on women and girls.
She underscored that such understanding is essential for tailoring effective programs and services to meet their unique needs.
Despite global efforts to address intimate partner violence and sexual violence, which affect approximately 1 in 3 women worldwide, older women and women with disabilities continue to experience these forms of abuse.
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