ISTANBUL 

Women and girls with disabilities continue to face discrimination and barriers linked to both their gender and disability, UN Women said Tuesday.

Marking the International Day of Persons with Disabilities, the organization said discrimination limits women and girls’ access to services, economic opportunities, leadership and participation in public life.

“Advancing social progress requires societies that respect the rights, dignity and leadership of women and girls with disabilities,” it said in a statement.

UN Women said women and girls with disabilities contribute to care systems, economic life, community resilience and peacebuilding, and show how societies become stronger when environments are accessible, inclusive and grounded in human rights.

One out of five women lives with a disability, representing about 20% of all women compared to 12% of men, the UN said.