Women attending the Pacific Disability Forum this week in Auckland, are calling on governments to do more to protect disabled women from abuse.
Forum secretary, Naomi Navoce, says many women from around the region have been sharing their plight, sharing stories about being subjected to humiliation, violence, sexual attacks and neglect.
She says often the abuse is from people they know, but many women aren't confident enough to report incidences, out of fear and uncertainty.
She says this has to change.
"The time has come that women and girls with disabilities in the Pacific must come together. Because some of the issues I've highlighted, are access to education, employment, and the vulnerability of women and girls with disabilities in terms of disasters. [That] these women and girls with disabilities can [be] guaranteed that they are protected in evacuation centres. That women and girls with disabilities and their vulnerability are victims of violence and abuse."
Naomi Navoce says women attending the forum are also keen to build their own women with disabilities network in the Pacific region.
