Violence against women with disabilities 2012, para. 64

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Women with disabilities may be more likely to have low self-esteem, a risk factor for domestic and other forms of violence. Popular media images throughout the world contribute to the presumption that the bodies of women with disabilities are unattractive, asexual and outside the societal ascribed norms of "beauty". It also describes the "normal" female body as the presence of high cheekbones, even skin tones, long legs, and the absence of fat, wrinkles, physical disabilities and deformities. This contributes to the undervaluing of women with disabilities, as well as self-devaluation by women of their own bodies, whether they have disabilities or not. Many images only depict people with disabilities as deserving of pity, thus further stigmatizing them.
Legal status
Non-negotiated soft law
Body
Special Rapporteur on violence against women, its causes and consequences
Document type
Special Procedures' report
Means of adoption
N.A.
Topic(s)
  • Equality & Inclusion
  • Violence
Person(s) affected
  • Persons with disabilities
  • Women
Year
2012
Paragraph type
Other
Paragraph number
64