Feminism has always been about striving for equality, challenging the barriers that keep women from living fully and freely. But there’s an important part of this story that often gets overlooked: the voices and experiences of disabled women. Their challenges and triumphs bring a powerful perspective to the movement, and it’s time we listen.
What Happens When Gender and Disability Overlap?
Imagine navigating a world where both your gender and your disability shape how others see you. This is the reality for disabled women. They face unique struggles, not just as women or as people with disabilities, but as individuals who live at the intersection of these identities.
Think about the stereotypes they encounter: being viewed as asexual, overly dependent, or incapable of taking on leadership roles. These misconceptions don’t just hurt—they silence. And when feminist movements focus only on the experiences of able-bodied women, these voices are pushed further into the background.
Why Disabled Voices Are Missing in Feminism
Feminist conversations often highlight issues like the wage gap, reproductive rights, or gender-based violence. And while these are crucial battles, they rarely include the specific struggles faced by disabled women.
Take reproductive rights, for example. There’s little discussion about the forced sterilization of disabled women, a practice that continues to rob them of their bodily autonomy in many parts of the world. Or consider leadership in feminist spaces. How many disabled women do you see leading organizations or campaigns? Physical inaccessibility and a lack of understanding about their experiences often shut them out, both literally and figuratively.
How Do We Build a More Inclusive Feminism?
If feminism is truly about equality, then it must include everyone. Here’s how we can make that happen:
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Put Disabled Women in the Spotlight: Let’s celebrate the work of incredible disabled feminists like Alice Wong, Lydia X. Z. Brown, and Vilissa Thompson. Their advocacy bridges the gap between feminism and disability rights, showing us all what true inclusion looks like.
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Change the Policies: Campaign for policies that reflect the needs of disabled women. This could mean fighting for accessible healthcare, inclusive education, or better workplace accommodations.
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Fix How Media Portrays Disabled Women: It’s time to move beyond harmful stereotypes. Let’s see disabled women in media as leaders, innovators, and agents of change—not as helpless or burdensome.
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Be an Ally: Non-disabled feminists have a role to play too. Listen, learn, and amplify the voices of disabled women. Let their perspectives shape the movement.
Looking Forward
Bringing disabled women into the feminist movement isn’t just the right thing to do—it makes feminism stronger. When we include all voices, we create a force for change that’s more united and powerful.
Disabled women aren’t waiting for an invitation. They’re already leading, teaching, and inspiring. It’s time we honor their contributions and work together for a future where everyone—regardless of ability—can thrive. That’s what real equality looks like.
