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Advancing the Rights and Choices of Women and Girls with Disabilities in Sri Lanka - General Audience

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Advancing the Rights and Choices of Women and Girls with Disabilities in Sri Lanka - General Audience

Author

UNFPA Sri Lanka

Number of pages

16

Publication

Advancing the Rights and Choices of Women and Girls with Disabilities in Sri Lanka - General Audience

Publication date

21 July 2025

In Sri Lanka, over 1.8 million people live with some form of disability, with women and girls often facing unique and intersecting challenges that hinder their ability to lead dignified, autonomous lives. Despite national progress in policy and legal frameworks supporting disability inclusion, significant barriers remain in accessing essential health services, including sexual and reproductive health and rights (SRHR), and protection from gender-based violence (GBV).

Women and girls with disabilities are disproportionately affected by stigma, social isolation, and inadequate infrastructure and services. These challenges are further compounded by a lack of inclusive communication tools, limited access to justice, and minimal representation in decision-making spaces.

This knowledge product brings together key insights, actions, and lessons from the United Nations Population Fund (UNFPA) Sri Lanka's work to advance the rights and choices of women and girls with disabilities. It showcases inclusive initiatives implemented through partnerships with government, civil society, professional colleges, and organizations of persons with disabilities, and highlights the urgent need for targeted, inclusive, and sustainable approaches to ensure that no one is left behind. An accessible version of this document, optimized for screen readers, can also be found in the UNFPA Sri Lanka website.

By amplifying the voices and needs of women and girls with disabilities, this document serves as both a call to action and a roadmap for stakeholders working towards a more inclusive and equitable Sri Lanka.