Women and functional diversity (disability) as agents of social transformation: an international perspective

Abstract

Starting from the fact that women are assuming an important role in the building of new social organizations, cultural representations and ideologies, an approach is presented here to the model of social transformation that women with disabilities are creating from their activism in international organizations and associations. The paper draws on the results of a study that explores the discourse and claims of these organizations, from the information available on their websites as well as from some key documents of the United Nations in this field. This analysis reveals how from very different regions of the world women with disabilities are articulating a discourse based on the paradigm of human rights, often with clear feminist references, seeking to improve their life conditions. Yet along with this defensive orientation aimed at removing the barriers that generate the social exclusion of this collective, women with disabilities are also leading a clear proactive strategy. They strive for a more democratic and inclusive society, which would allow that any woman, regardless of her characteristics, could enjoy an active citizenship and fully participate in the society in which she lives rights.

Keywords

• mujeres con discapacidad
• transformación social
• feminismo
• democracia radical
• derechos humanos