Annotation:
This submission proposes that women and girls with disabilities face a double discrimination resulting in increased risk of violence by a larger range of perpetrators, at a higher frequency, and for a longer duration than that faced by women without disabilities. Key issues identified are legalized forced sterilization of women and girls with disabilities in many countries, less reporting of and barriers to prosecution and punishment for crimes of violence against women and girls with disabilities, and lack of consideration of women and with disabilities when programs addressing violence against women are developed. The submission provides an overview of relevant international instruments, including the Committee on the Rights of Persons with Disabilities, the Convention on the Elimination of Discrimination Against Women, and the Convention on the Rights of the Child. Uganda is examined as a case study, and specific recommendations for that country, as well as for the UN agencies and development parties working there, are offered.