Toward Gender Equality and Addressing Gender-Based Violence in the IASC Guidelines on Inclusion of Persons with Disabilities in Humanitarian Action

At least 70 million people are currently displaced as a result of persecution, conflict, or violence. As many as 14 million of them are persons with disabilities. Globally, one in five women has a disability. During the 2016 World Humanitarian Summit, the Charter on Inclusion of Persons with Disabilities in Humanitarian Action was endorsed by more than 200 humanitarian and human rights networks and organizations, networks and/or organizations of persons with disabilities, UN agencies, and governments. The Charter includes a recommendation to develop “guidelines supporting humanitarian actors to improve inclusion of persons with disabilities in emergency preparedness and responses.” The IASC Guidelines on Inclusion of Persons with Disabilities in Humanitarian Action (the Guidelines) were finalized after three years of extensive consultations with multiple stakeholders and recently endorsed by the Inter-Agency Standing Committee.

The participation and empowerment of women and girls with disabilities and their representative organizations is critical to ensuring that disability inclusion is realized in humanitarian action. The Women’s Refugee Commission worked with a number of humanitarian stakeholders, including organizations of women with disabilities, to integrate gender and GBV considerations throughout the Guidelines.

This issue brief provides an overview of the Guidelines and more detailed information on the chapter on GBV. In line with IASC guidance, disability inclusion should be reflected in all global GBV guidance and standards.