Addressing gender‑based violence and supporting sexual and reproductive health and rights for persons with disabilities

Persons with disabilities have historically been left behind, including in terms of protection from gender‑based violence and the realisation of their sexual and reproductive health and rights. Around one billion people, about 15% of the population, will experience some form of disability in their lifetime. Within that billion, around 180 million youth aged 10-24 currently live with a disability 80% of whom reside in low‑income countries. They are three times more likely than other people to experience physical, emotional and sexual violence.