A new report released today by Women with Disabilities ACT (WWDACT) analyses the
experiences of women, girls, feminine identifying, and non-binary people with disabilities during
COVID-19. It illustrates an urgent need to address pre-existing disadvantage, and to involve
women* with disabilities in all emergency planning.
Report author Megan Hagan says ‘Findings were disheartening in that nothing was really new,
or really COVID-19 specific. Instead, there was a predictable worsening of pre-existing
disadvantage.’
78% of women* with disabilities reported experiencing new or increased mental health issues
during COVID-19. Of particular concern, 87% of LGBTIQA+ people with disabilities
experienced increased mental health concerns. These figures reflect the already high levels of
mental health concerns among women* with disability being exacerbated.
28% of women with disability were impacted negatively by increased physical labour. Ms
Hagan notes ‘gender inequalities around the mental load, home schooling, and increased
domestic work increased barriers for many women* with disabilities.’
The report also acknowledges positive changes brough about by COVID-19. Of note, there
were increased social security payments; increased availability of Telehealth appointments; the
normalisation of video calls; the ability to work from home; and a greater community
awareness of infection control, isolation, and loneliness.
These positive aspects are important to bring forward as we strive for an equitable society, but
they in no way balance out the negative impacts.
COVID-19 has resulted in increased domestic violence cases across Australia. Despite the
federal government committing additional domestic violence funding, there have not been the
resources to meet demand for support services. 12% of women* with disability experienced
new or increased domestic violence due to COVID-19.
22.73% of LGBTQI+ people with disability experienced new or increased family or domestic
violence during COVID-19 in contrast to 7.25% of cisgender women.
40% of women* with disabilities experiencing family or domestic violence did not have access
to appropriate services.
In Australia, compared to their peers, women, girls, feminine identifying, and non-binary people
with disabilities experience higher levels of all forms of violence more intensely and frequently
and are subjected to such violence by a greater number of perpetrators. COVID-19
exacerbated the situation.
When speaking on the prevention of violence against women* with disabilities in the ACT,
WWDACT CEO explains that ‘Women* with disabilities experience the same forms of violence
that all women* experience, but they also experience forms of violence unique to the
intersection of gender and disability.’ The prevalence of this violence is testimony to the lack of
prevention strategies and pathways safety afforded to women* with disabilities by current
policy, services, and systems. On this, Mx Reed notes ‘worryingly, our stats do not represent
the true extent of this problem’.
You can read our full report, summary brief and media release below.
Tag: COVID-19
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“Involved from the Beginning” COVID-19 Outreach Project Final Report
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Media Release: New Report Illustrates Experiences of COVID-19 for Women with Disabilities
A new report released today by Women With Disabilities ACT (WWDACT), shows how difficult the COVID-19 pandemic has been for women with disabilities in the Canberra region.
“66% of women with disability said they did not know where to seek help with accessing health care during this time.” said C Moore, Chief Executive Officer, WWDACT.
The survey has shown the urgent need for advice on how to get remote access to the health system, and WWDACT welcomes the advocacy funding announced last week by the ACT government.
A further 44% of women said they did not know where to get help with legal matters, employment, or finances during COVID-19, though issues arose in all of these areas.
Seventy-two women responded to the survey, and 10 were interviewed about their experiences. The survey was conducted in May and June 2020.
The biggest concerns for women with disabilities during lockdown and continuing COVID-19 after restrictions have been eased, were mental health, physical health, isolation from friends and family, and employment.
Report author, Swathi Shanmukhasundaram, said that “This report echoes the growing inequalities experienced by women with disabilities in a system that has neglected their needs during this pandemic.” Findings highlighted service and carer disruptions which left women with disabilities without supports to complete essential tasks or maintain their health.
Mx Moore said: “Women with disabilities encounter barriers under normal circumstances due to discrimination, poor access and poverty. COVID-19 has dramatically complicated these issues.”
“These issues will continue to be relevant as restrictions ease and we look to an inclusive recovery for all Canberrans. The ACT Government COVID-19 Disability Strategy must continue to be well resourced and implemented to ensure this.”
The research was funded by the Disability Advocacy network of Australia, and will help build a picture of how responses to a health emergency need to be better targetted to ensure that all population groups are catered for.
The Report will be launched by Minster for Disability, Suzanne Orr at a Zoom Gathering on July 6 at 1.30pm.
Download the report: “The Responsibility has Fallen on Us”: Perspectives on the impact of COVID-19 on Women* and Girls with Disabilities in the ACT and Region on the Publications page.
For more information and to attend the launch contact C Moore, ceo@wwdact.org.au, 0468 324 695.
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“The Responsibility has Fallen on Us”: Perspectives on the impact of COVID-19 on Women* and Girls with Disabilities in the ACT and Region
This has been a difficult year for the Canberra community, which is dealing with the
impact of smoke, bushfires, hail and now COVID-19 (‘COVID’). Early in the crisis
WWDACT identified COVID-19 was affecting women* with disabilities
disproportionately, given that this was the second major disaster the ACT was
facing. The impact of gendered issues in emergency situations have been well
proven and researched by bodies like the National Women’s Alliance,1 who have
highlighted that women* are disproportionally impacted by disasters. The inequalities
caused by disproportionate impacts increase within ‘vulnerable cohorts,’ such as
disability.
WWDACT sought to analyse this issue through a feminist lens that is inclusive of the
experiences of women* living with a disability in the ACT through this survey and
interviews, the results of which are summarised in this report.
Ultimately, these findings should inform WWDACT’s strategy in responding to the
Royal Commission into Disability and help inform recommendations into how the risk
of women* with disabilities experiencing violence, abuse, neglect and exploitation at
these times can be prevented.You can read the full report below.