Women with disabilities in the EU: situation and way forward EESC (Brussels) - 9 February 2017

Implementation of the Strategic engagement for gender equality 2016-2019

Priority areas for action 2016-2019 1st: Increasing female labour-market participation and the equal economic independence of women and men; 2nd: Reducing the gender pay, earnings and pension gaps and thus fighting poverty among women; 3rd: Promoting equality between women and men in decision-making; 4th: Combating gender-based violence and protecting and supporting victims; and 5th: Promoting gender equality and women’s rights across the world.  

33 key actions In addition, the Strategic Engagement sets out:   Objectives to be achieved and progress indicators; Timelines and responsibilities within the Commission; That gender mainstreaming remains a key tool for the promotion of gender equality (dual approach); How EU funding programmes contribute to the promotion of gender equality; That particular attention will be paid to the specific needs of groups facing multiple disadvantages, e.g. women with disabilities, single parents and older, migrant, Roma.  

Combating gender-based violence 1st: Increasing female labour-market participation and the equal economic independence of women and men; 2nd: Reducing the gender pay, earnings and pension gaps and thus fighting poverty among women; 3rd: Promoting equality between women and men in decision-making; 4th: Combating gender-based violence and protecting and supporting victims; and 5th: Promoting gender equality and women’s rights across the world.

16 % of women indicate in the FRA survey on violence against women that their health is bad or very bad, that their everyday activities are limited by their health or that they consider themselves as disabled or belonging to a minority in their country in terms of disability. The survey results show that women who have health problems or a disability indicate a higher prevalence of various forms of violence than women who do not have similar health problems or a disability: 34% of women with disabilities experienced physical and sexual partner violence during the relationship.

What is the Commission doing? DATA COLLECTION Fundamental Rights Agency EIGE Eurostat Member States Eurobarometer LEGISLATION & POLICIES Sexual harassment Trafficking Child abuse Minimum rights for victims European Protection Orders EU accession to Istanbul Convention What is the Commission doing? FUNDING Awareness-raising campaigns by Member States European networks Grassroots projects by NGOs ELIMINATING FEMALE GENITAL MUTILATION Knowledge Prevention Prosecution Protection External dimension

2017: Focused Actions to combat violence against women Funding to support national information, awareness-raising and education activities aimed at preventing and combating violence against women Funding for transnational projects by civil society organisations, local authorities, universities and other stakeholders European "umbrella" activities including Eurobarometer on gender-based violence, social media campaign, exchanges of good practice, Maltese Presidency conference on violence against women, mainstreaming in other policy areas

Focused Actions – European "umbrella" activities NON.NO.NEIN. campaign: social media campaign under the hashtag #SayNoStopVAW EU accession to the Istanbul Convention Eurostat survey on the prevalence of gender-based violence Maltese Council Presidency conference, February 2017 Mutual Learning Programme on Gender Equality Member State seminar, September 2017: on Danish policy and legislation on digital sexual abuse and French campaign addressing sexual harassment on public transport. Fundamental Rights Colloquium on Women's Rights, November 2017

Gender Equality Index - violence The structure of the measurement framework is built around the central aspects of the Istanbul Convention. Current value at EU level: 27,5 (out of 100) Violence against women is the consequence as well as a driver of structural inequalities experienced by women in all aspects of their lives, ranging from health and education to work, finances and access to decision-making and time use.

Gender Equality Index: violence and intersectionality Women suffering economic vulnerability are at a higher risk of violence at home than the others. The Index shows in particular evidence of heightened victimisation levels for non-heterosexual women, women with disabilities and women who do not possess the citizenship of the country they live in. Multiple discrimination may increase the forms of violence that women experience.

Fundamental Rights Colloquium 2017: Women’s rights in turbulent times The third edition of the Fundamental Rights Colloquium Over 400 participants Topics: "women's rights under attack"; economic and political empowerment; violence against women Significant media attention with coverage in 22 Member States Discussion informed by concept papers and the Special Eurobarometer survey on gender equality 2017 Demonstrated political momentum for the promotion and protection of women's rights

Colloquium – recurring themes The importance of intersectional responses The role of men and boys in the movement for gender equality The importance of supporting civil society actors, through funding and collaboration The need for more funding for gender equality work (including for more and more transparent funding for civil society) The need for more training for professionals and in work places Importance of alliance-building between different stakeholders in the gender equality field and between different social justice movements

Thank you for your attention! Halliki Voolma Policy Officer DG Justice, Gender equality unit halliki.voolma@ec.europa.eu