CRPD/C/GC/3
stereotypes can be harmful. Harmful gender stereotypes need to be recognized and
addressed in order to promote gender equality. The Convention enshrines an obligation to
combat stereotypes, prejudices and harmful practices relating to persons with disabilities,
including those based on sex and age, in all areas of life.
9.
Article 6 is a binding non-discrimination and equality provision that unequivocally
outlaws discrimination against women with disabilities and promotes equality of
opportunity and equality of outcomes. Women and girls with disabilities are more likely to
be discriminated against than men and boys with disabilities and women and girls without
disabilities.
10.
The Committee notes that the contributions made during its half-day of general
discussion on women and girls with disabilities, held during its ninth session in April 2013,
highlighted a range of topics and identified three main subjects of concern with respect to
the protection of their human rights: violence, sexual and reproductive health and rights,
and discrimination. Furthermore, in its concluding observations on women with disabilities,
the Committee has expressed concern about: the prevalence of multiple discrimination and
of intersectional discrimination against women with disabilities; 5 the discrimination
experienced by women and girls with disabilities on account of their gender, disability and
other factors 6 that are not sufficiently addressed in legislation and policies; 7 the right to
life;8 equal recognition before the law;9 the persistence of violence against women and girls
with disabilities, 10 including sexual violence 11 and abuse; 12 forced sterilization; 13 female
genital mutilation;14 sexual and economic exploitation;15 institutionalization;16 the lack of or
insufficient participation of women with disabilities in decision-making processes 17 in
public and political life; 18 the lack of inclusion of a gender perspective in disability
policies;19 the lack of a disability-rights perspective in policies promoting gender equality; 20
and the lack of or insufficient number of specific measures to promote the education and
employment of women with disabilities.21
II. Normative content
11.
The present general comment reflects an interpretation of article 6 that is premised
on the general principles outlined in article 3 of the Convention, namely: respect for the
inherent dignity, individual autonomy, including the freedom to make one’s own choices,
and independence of persons; non-discrimination; full and effective participation and
inclusion in society; respect for difference and acceptance of persons with disabilities as
5
6
7
8
9
10
11
12
13
14
15
16
17
18
19
20
21
See, for example, CRPD/C/SLV/CO/1, para. 17, and CRPD/C/UKR/CO/1, para. 9.
See, for example, CRPD/C/AUT/CO/1, para. 17, and CRPD/C/ECU/CO/1, para. 16.
See, for example, CRPD/C/BRA/CO/1, para. 16, and CRPD/C/EU/CO/1, para. 20
See, for example, CRPD/C/MEX/CO/1, para. 34, CRPD/C/AZE/CO/1, para. 18.
See, for example, CRPD/C/ARG/CO/1, para. 31.
See, for example, CRPD/C/BEL/CO/1, para. 30.
See, for example, CRPD/C/AUS/CO/1, para. 16, and CRPD/C/CHN/CO/1 and Corr.1, paras. 57, 65
and 90.
See, for example, CRPD/C/SLV/CO/1, para. 37, and CRPD/C/CZE/CO/1, para. 34.
See, for example, CRPD/C/MUS/CO/1, para. 29, and CRPD/C/NZL/CO/1, para. 37.
See, for example, CRPD/C/GAB/CO/1, para. 40, and CRPD/C/KEN/CO/1, para. 33.
See, for example, CRPD/C/DOM/CO/1, para. 32, and CRPD/C/PRY/CO/1, para.17.
See, for example, CRPD/C/HRV/CO/1, para. 23, and CRPD/C/SVK/CO/1, para. 55.
See, for example, CRPD/C/QAT/CO/1, para. 13, and CRPD/C/ECU/CO/1, paras. 12 and 16.
See, for example, CRPD/C/CRI/CO/1, para. 13, and CRPD/C/ECU/CO/1, para. 16.
See, for example, CRPD/C/SWE/CO/1, para. 13, and CRPD/C/KOR/CO/1, para. 13.
See, for example, CRPD/C/AZE/CO/1, para. 16, and CRPD/C/ESP/CO/1, para. 21.
See, for example, CRPD/C/DNK/CO/1, para. 18, and CRPD/C/NZL/CO/1, para. 16.
3