For Immediate Release

March 7, 2019                         

Contact: Hanane Khales: 514-396-0009 Ext 2505

communications@dawncanada.net

                                                                                                          

Media Advisory

Report Reveals Major Gaps for Women and Girls with Disabilities

DAWN Canada’s research report comes as recently released Statistics Canada data confirms that 24% of women in Canada live with a disabilitiy.

More Than A Footnote: A Research Report on Women and Girls with Disabilities in Canada examines in depth longstanding issues women and girls with disabilities face – social exclusion, high rates of violence, poverty and, homelessness, barriers to education and employment and lack of accessible services.

This timely report serves as a powerful foundation and the first step in a call to action for a coordinated national response to address the social, economic and political exclusion of women and girls with disabilities in Canada.

 

 

Who: DisAbled Women’s Network (DAWN) Canada

What: Digital release of DAWN Canada’s new report

When: Friday March 8, 2019.

Where: http://bit.ly/MoreThanAFootnoteReport

Interview requests:

Jihan Abbas, Ph.D (Sociology), Lead Researcher and DAWN Canada’s National Executive Director, Bonnie Brayton, are available for phone interviews.

To arrange an interview, please contact Hanane Khales by email at communications@dawncanada.net or phone: 514-396-0009 Ext 2505.

 Quotes:

"More Than A Footnote: A Research Report on Women and Girls with Disabilities in Canada sheds light on the key issues women and girls with disabilities in Canada face every day, such as social exclusion, poverty, barriers to education and unemployment. I am proud that our Government supported this eye opening report, which puts forward recommendations to create opportunities for women with disabilities in the future."

The Right Honourable Carla Qualtrough

Minister of Public Services and Procurement and Accessibility

“This milestone report marks a sea-change in what we know about the experiences of women and girls with disabilities. By gathering and highlighting current research – research that prioritizes the voices of women and girls with disabilities – DAWN Canada and its partners help to shift away from notions of women and girls with disabilities as victims, vulnerable and invisible. This report confirms and recognizes their vital role as leaders and actors for women's rights and for their own rights.”

Professor Deborah Stienstra

Jarislowsky Chair in Families and Work

“More than a Footnote is a vital new resource that brings an intersectional lens to current research on women and girls with disabilities, and through this process, flags critical gaps in our knowledge and policy areas that demand new thinking and bold action. It will serve as a touchstone for future policy and program work to ensure the full inclusion and rights of women and girls with disabilities.”

Katherine Scott, Senior Economist,

Canadian Centre for Policy Alternatives

A whole of Government and cross-ministerial approach is the only way we are going to be able to respond to the findings in this report. 

Bonnie Brayton

National Executive Director, DAWN Canada

About:

DAWN-RAFH Canada is a national, feminist, cross-disability organization. Our mission is to end the poverty, isolation, discrimination and violence experienced by Canadian women with disabilities.