The brief discusses the adverse impact of COVID-19 on the ability of women, girls, non-binary, transgender, and gender-non-conforming (TGNC) persons with disabilities in meeting basic need.

The present brief was developed in response to the COVID-19 global pandemic and the unique challenges that this creates for women and girls with disabilities. The brief discusses actions that the UN system can implement systematically to address the needs and rights of these women and girls in COVID-19 response and recovery plans.

This brief underlines the need to mainstream disability and address the rights and demands of women with disabilities as a matter of priority to achieve the 2030 Agenda for Sustainable Development for all women and girls. Based on available data, the brief highlights key issues related to gender equality and women’s empowerment (SDG 5), ending poverty (SDG 1) and ensuring healthy lives (SDG 3) for women and girls with disabilities; and calls for closing data gaps on gender and disability.

Enshrined in the principle of "Leave No One Behind," this study report is a synthesis of key findings and recommendations from a multi country mapping of the manifestations and trends in discrimination against women and girls with disabilities in the ESA region.

OHCHR has a mandate to ensure the inclusion of the rights of persons with disabilities in the United Nations system. The webpage provides access to guidance on the human rights-based approach to disability, as well as reporting and activities mandated by the Human Rights Council, the Committee on the Rights of Persons with Disabilities, and the Special Rapporteur on the rights of persons with disabilities, among others.