Making the Invisible Visible: Why disability matters in violence against women and bodily autonomy

This report examines who and where women with disabilities are, and explores the relationships between disability and intimate partner violence (IPV) and the bodily autonomy of women of reproductive age (15–49 years). For answers, UNFPA conducted a study using Demographic and Health Surveys (DHS) data from Haiti, Mali, Pakistan, Rwanda, South Africa and Uganda, countries that applied a standard optional module on disability established by the DHS Program. The targeted recommendations pave the way for UN, government entities and civil society to work together in ensuring quality data is available for ending violence and inequalities experienced by women with disabilities when it comes to sexual and reproductive health and rights and bodily autonomy.