WRDA Calls for Gendered Approach in Disability & Work Strategy
13 January 2026 - The Women’s Resource and Development Agency (WRDA) has welcomed the Department’s draft Disability & Work Strategy, highlighting its potential to address Northern Ireland’s lowest workforce participation rate for disabled people—currently just over 43%. However, WRDA stresses that the Strategy must adopt a gendered lens to be truly effective.
Barriers faced by disabled people are not gender neutral. Women with disabilities are more likely to experience poverty, precarious employment, and caring responsibilities, which limit workforce participation. WRDA warns that without addressing issues such as childcare accessibility, rural isolation, and flexible working arrangements, the Strategy will fall short.
WRDA’s submission outlines key recommendations:
Integrate Gender Perspective: Recognise the compounded barriers faced by disabled women, including childcare costs and caring roles.
Collaborate Across Strategies: Align with the Early Learning and Childcare Strategy to support disabled parents.
Tailored Support: Move away from punitive approaches and provide personalised assistance that considers health fluctuations and caring responsibilities.
Community-Based Solutions: Resource women’s centres and voluntary organisations delivering vital skills training and childcare.
Employer Support: Equip small businesses with tools to accommodate disabled employees.
WRDA urges the Executive to ensure time-bound actions, clear accountability, and strategic funding to make the Strategy meaningful for disabled people.
For further information, please contact:
Elaine Crory, Women’s Sector Lobbyist – elaine.crory@wrda.net
Meghan Hoyt, Policy Assistant – meghan.hoyt@wrda.net
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