Monica Semedo is a Member of Renew Europe Group, Co-Chair of the Disability Intergroup, and Member of the Anti-Racism and Diversity Intergroup of the European Parliament. She is a strong advocate for an intersectional approach, may it be regarding employment, appointments to boards or politics.

Obstacles to the political participation of women with disabilities

Discrimination and stereotypes are obstacles for the political engagement of women with disabilities.

MEP Semedo spoke about the initiatives that the Members of the European Parliament can take to tackle these and encourage a greater inclusion in political life.

“Promoting greater inclusion of women with disabilities in political life is essential to foster a more diverse and representative democracy and to put forward laws that benefit these groups.”

MEP Semedo believes the European Parliament should raise awareness and promote inclusion, but also that concrete actions are needed. She constantly does this by paying extra attention to women, people with disabilities, youth and anti-racism, amongst other groups, in the work she carries out. For EU democracy, it is crucial that women with disabilities act as citizens, stakeholders or politicians.

“Being a woman in politics is already challenging. As a woman you have to prove yourself in order to get the same respect and recognition as your male colleagues or competitors, although you have the same skills. Being a woman and disabled adds difficulties to this, because as a person with a disability you are often perceived as less capable to do politics.”

When it comes to public and political participation, Semedo MEP explained that as in many other aspects of life, women with intellectual disabilities might suffer from different obstacles:

  • underestimation of competence
  • difficulties to access information
  • legal barrier such as the restriction of vote in certain EU Member States, for example via an intermediate
  • impossibility to open their own business

MEP Semedo highlights the need of representation to foster visibility in the public scene for other women with disabilities and encourage them to follow those steps.

Accessible and inclusive elections

Discrimination based on disability affects people from various backgrounds differently. The rights and participation of women with disabilities from marginalised groups, such as ethnic minorities and LGBTIQ+ community, are not always fully recognised and protected.

A key aspect for Semedo MEP is to promote inclusive representation.

“If women with disabilities reach political and socio-economic public roles, they can help bring more women in similar conditions into the political field, and not only work for them, but also encourage their participation.”

MEP Semedo highlighted that if women with disabilities reach political and decision-making positions, they can have influence and encourage their political party to set up a more diverse and inclusive list of candidates for elections at internal, local, regional, national or European level.

We discussed how the EU can better involve women with intellectual disabilities in the political sphere.

“Accessible information and communication ensure that EU policy reaches them broadly, and especially in the right language.”

Among the solutions she mentioned, there are braille, sign language, and easy-to-read materials. It is also essential to increase legal protection and invest in support services and programs adapted to women and people with disabilities in general.

According to her experience, MEP Semedo believes that disability as such does not hinder, but the circumstances are often not as accessibility-friendly as they should and could be. To enable equal participation for everyone, it is important to make documents and voting processes accessible.

Physical and digital accessibility barriers prevent individuals with disabilities, including women, from engaging in politics. We discussed the strategies that the European Parliament should implement to enhance the accessibility and inclusivity of political processes.

The Eruopean Parliament should lead as an example and improve its own inclusiveness. Although much has been done, inclusiveness can be improved. As Semedo MEP suggested, the European Parliament should lead as an example. She said that there is still room for improvement regarding internal rules for MEPs, assistants, and staff.

We also talked about the importance of quality education. When women and girls with disabilities have equal chances and access to quality education, they feel more self-confident. This helps being active citizens in many areas of life, including politics.

“At national level, it is key that people with disabilities have equal chances and access to quality education. This is important, especially for young girls with disabilities. As they become aware they have the same chances and opportunities, it is worth to strive to reach their goals. This gives them self-confidence to be an active part in school, a job or perhaps in politics, although or - better said - because they are capable to overcome obstacles living with a disability.”

MEP Semedo explained that The European Disability Strategy foresees that Member States shall enhance accessibility via a National Action Plan, and digital accessibility is nowadays as crucial as physical. For example, she reported that often the digital exams you need to pass to become a civil servant might not be accessibility-friendly. This is especially thew case for people who have an impairement, have dyslexia or are paralysed, blind and/or mute at the same time.

She highlights that there is an important need for accessibility standards also at digital level, such as in websites, platforms, mobile apps, voting systems.

Why is support important?

We asked MEP Semedo how important being and ally and support are for women and girls with intellectual disabilities who want to enter a political career. She said that having a supportive network may help overcoming challenges and obstacles. People around you that support you, give you advice, exchange experiences and help to find solutions can really make the difference.

“Women in general need to empower other women, and especially women with disabilities or people from marginalised groups. As a young woman, impaired and black I do my best to not only encourage but help others to follow.”

MEP Semedo commitment to intersectionality is fundamental. As Co-chair of the Disability Intergroup of the European Parliament and Member of the Anti-racism and Diversity Intergroup, she keeps supporting women and girls with disabilities and people from marginalised groups.