On the proposal for a directive of the European Parliament and of the Council establishing the European Disability Card and the European Parking Card for persons with disabilities
FEMM-AD-754897
Committee on Women's Rights and Gender Equality · Rapporteur: Rosa Estaràs Ferragut
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The Committee on Women's Rights and Gender Equality proposes amendments to the proposed directive establishing the European Disability Card and the European Parking Card for persons with disabilities.¶¶ The amendments add new recitals on gender equality, the Istanbul Convention, the CRPD and data on women with disabilities, and require a gender-sensitive approach throughout the card's rules.¶¶¶ They add information and counselling services for women and girls with disabilities, including victims of violence, and require member states to recognise card holders and protect them from discrimination.¶¶ They require simplified, accessible card issuance, gender-inclusive awareness raising, consultation of gender equality experts, and gender analysis and gender-disaggregated data in the Commission's reporting.¶¶¶
Committee position. The committee calls on the Committee on Employment and Social Affairs, as the committee responsible, to take its amendments into account. The amendments add a gender equality and non-discrimination perspective throughout the proposed directive, with specific services and protection for women and girls with disabilities.¶¶¶
Key points
- Adds a recital citing the Charter of Fundamental Rights and resolutions of 13 December 2022 and 4 October 2023 on the rights of persons with disabilities and autistic persons.¶
- Adds recitals stating that gender equality is a Union value under Article 2 TEU and Article 8 TFEU, and that the Istanbul Convention's protection must be available to any woman regardless of disability.¶
- Adds a recital on Article 5 of the CRPD and the need for a gender-sensitive, intersectional approach, noting women with disabilities face discrimination, social isolation, poor housing and inadequate healthcare.¶
- Amends Recital 6 to add that Article 6 of the UNCRPD recognises multiple discrimination against women and girls with disabilities, and calls for investment, capacity building and awareness raising.¶
- Adds a recital citing European Institute for Gender Equality data on employment, poverty, education and healthcare for women with disabilities, and calls for a gender-sensitive card and monitoring mechanism.¶
- Amends Recital 7 to add principles 2 and 16 of the European Pillar of Social Rights on equality between women and men and access to healthcare.¶
- Adds recitals on personal assistants including informal caregivers, on women's disproportionate care responsibilities, and on the lack of knowledge about psychosocial accessibility and attitudinal, administrative and systemic barriers.¶¶
- States that the European Disability Card should include a preferential status for women and girls with disabilities who are victims of violence and abuse, giving them urgent attention.¶
- Amends Recital 24 to add that effective mobility measures must consider accessibility of public transport for people who need their own wheelchair.¶
- Adds to Article 2 information and counselling services for women and girls with disabilities, and a specialised information, assistance and support service for those who are victims of violence.¶
- Adds Article 5(1a) requiring member states to recognise all card holders, ensure mutual recognition as protection against discrimination, and make the card equally accessible regardless of sex, gender, race, religion, disability, age or sexual orientation.¶
- Amends Articles 6, 9, 11, 13 and 16 to require simplified card issuance, gender-inclusive awareness raising and training, consultation of gender equality experts, gender analysis and gender-disaggregated data in reporting, and a digital information portal.¶¶¶
Who is affected
- Women and girls with disabilities, who would gain information, counselling and support services and a preferential status if victims of violence.¶¶
- Member states, which must recognise card holders, ensure equal access to the card and collect gender-disaggregated data.¶¶
- The Commission, which must consult gender equality experts and include a gender analysis in its report.¶¶
- Public authorities and private service providers, which must be made aware of the card and receive gender mainstreamed training.¶
Figures and deadlines
- 20% of women with disabilities are in full-time employment, compared to 29% of men with disabilities and 48% of women without disabilities.¶
- 22% of women with disabilities are at risk of poverty, compared to 20% of men with disabilities and 16% of women without disabilities.
- 17% of women with disabilities graduate tertiary education, compared to 18% of men with disabilities and 32% of women without disabilities.
- 11% of women with disabilities have unmet needs for medical examination, compared to 10% of men with disabilities and 3% of women without disabilities.
- Approximately 46 million women and girls with disabilities in the EU, about 16% of its total female population and 60% of the overall population of persons with disabilities.
- Women with disabilities are 10 times more likely to experience physical or sexual assault than women without disabilities.¶
Legal basis: Article 2 TEU and Article 8 TFEU are cited in the amendments.¶