Women’s equality in the UK – A health check

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left to live in poverty. 23 Disabled women experience dual discrimination because of their status
as ‘disabled’ and ‘women’ and often remain invisible in mainstream legislation and policy for
women. The situation is even worse for disabled women from certain groups such as older
women and those belonging to minority ethnic groups. Disabled women’s issues are still underresearched,
and their needs are often excluded in the mainstream Disability Movement as
well as the Women’s Movement, 24 which explains the lack of both qualitative and quantitative
data specifically about disabled women. Therefore, their concerns are also overlooked in
government policy.
The Government made commitments to fund The National Valuing Families Forum 25 and The
National Forum of People with Learning Disabilities 26 until 2012 but it is unclear what will happen
to these services after this and what continued support there will be for disabled women. (See
Appendix: 36 for further information)
LGB&T equality
In 2008 it was estimated that there were 1.8 million lesbian women in Britain 27 however, there is
still not comprehensive data that enables this population to receive the services and support
that they need. Lesbian and bisexual (LB) women continue to be discriminated against in
various areas of life including in the provision of health services, (See Article 12) within the
asylum system, (See Appendix: 9) and in the law. (See Article 15)
Organisations working specifically with and for LB women are particularly marginalised in terms
of funding and political influence. 28 Both within and outside the LGB&T sector, organisations
that support lesbian, bisexual and trans women, and those supporting LGB&T people belonging
to additional equality groups are even more under-resourced and marginalised. 29 There is a lack
of specific support available locally for young LB women across the UK and a lack of awareness
of their needs, which must be addressed. 30
Women offenders
The 2007 Corston report 31 called for strategic and structural changes to drive progress on the
women’s criminal justice agenda, eliminating discrimination and addressing the multiple and
complex needs of women offenders and those at risk of offending, as recognised by CEDAW in
2008. However, although the Government may have “broadly accepted” the conclusions, the
outcomes are yet to be realised. (See Article 15 and Appendix: 27 for more information)
23. Disabled People Against the Cuts (2010) ‘Disabled people feel their lives are under threat’ www.l-r-c.org.uk/files/DPAC_cuts1.pdf Accessed
on: 15/02/2012
24. Keogh, M. (2012) ‘International Women’s Day: Women with disabilities a dichotomy in protection’, Disability and Human Rights, 8th March
2012 http://disabilityandhumanrights.com/2012/03/08/international-women%E2%80%99s-day-women-with-disabilities-a-dichotomyin-protection/
25. Carers Trust, The National Valuing Families Forum http://professionals.carers.org/health/the-national-valuing-families-forum,7028,PR.
html Accessed: 21/03/2013
26. National Forum of People with Learning Disabilities http://www.nationalforum.co.uk/ Accessed: 21/03/2013
27. Hunt, R. and Dr. Fish, J. (2008) Prescription for Change: Lesbian and bisexual women’s health check. Stonewall: London http://www.
stonewall.org.uk/documents/prescription_for_change.pdf
28. Women’s Resource Centre (2010) In All Our Colours: Lesbian, bisexual and trans women’s services in the UK. WRC: London http://
thewomensresourcecentre.org.uk/wp-content/uploads/IAOC.pdf
29. Nea, B. and Cox, D. (2008) Gaps and Solutions: Supporting London’s Equality Sectors. HEAR/ROTA: London
30. Women’s Resource Centre (2010) In All Our Colours: Lesbian, bisexual and trans women’s services in the UK. WRC: London http://
thewomensresourcecentre.org.uk/wp-content/uploads/IAOC.pdf
31. Corston, J. (2007) A report by Baroness Jean Corston of a review of women with particular vulnerabilities in the Criminal Justice System.
Home Office: London http://www.justice.gov.uk/publications/docs/corston-report-march-2007.pdf/
26 Women’s equality in the UK: CEDAW shadow report 2013