Can Safety and Digital Inclusion Coexist for Women and Girls with Disabilities?

While digital technologies promise empowerment and inclusion, they also introduce new risks—especially for those at the intersection of gender and disability. Technology-Facilitated Gender-Based Violence (TFGBV) is abuse carried out through digital tools, disproportionately affecting women and girls with disabilities due to reliance on assistive tech, socioeconomic barriers, and caregiver or peer control. While risks include harassment, surveillance, and limited access to safe devices, digital spaces can also empower through advocacy, self-expression, and economic opportunities. In this episode of "Disability Dialogues," Research Associate Eunice Tunggal hosts a conversation with Researcher in Disability and Rehabilitation Studies Babalwa Tyabashe-Phume about the risks and opportunities of digital access for women and girls with disabilities in the Global South. They discuss technology-facilitated gender-based violence, unique vulnerabilities, barriers to research, and the empowering potential of digital platforms. The episode highlights both the dangers—such as online abuse and control by caregivers—and the positive impact of technology for advocacy, economic opportunity, and community support, emphasizing the need for inclusive, accessible digital spaces.The conversation underscores a critical truth: digital inclusion and safety must go hand in hand. For women and girls with disabilities in the Global South, technology is both a lifeline and a potential source of harm. By centering their voices, addressing intersectional risks, and investing in accessible, community-driven solutions, we can co-create a digital future that is truly inclusive and safe for all.Here are three reasons why you should listen to this episode:Learn the concept and definition of technology-facilitated gender-based violence (TFGBV).Understand the intersection of ableism and gender inequality in the context of digital violence.Discover the challenges in researching the experiences of women with disabilities due to the digital divide and socioeconomic barriers.ResourcesExplore the CERC in Health Equity and Community Wellbeing’s ⁠Website⁠Eunice Tunggal and Babalwa Tyabashe-Phume: WebsiteDr. Karen Soldatic: ⁠LinkedIn⁠ | ⁠CERC Profile⁠Toronto Metropolitan University: ⁠Website⁠SSHRC – Social Sciences and Humanities Research Council: ⁠Website⁠ CIHR – Canadian Institutes of Health Research: ⁠Website⁠ NSERC – Natural Sciences and Engineering Research Council of Canada: ⁠WebsiteEnjoyed this Episode?If you did, be sure to subscribe and share it with your friends! Disability Dialogues is a podcast that explores bold ideas, community-led research, and inclusive practices shaping the future of healthcare and wellbeing.Post a review and share it! If you enjoyed this episode, please leave us a review. Share it with friends and colleagues. Let’s inspire more people to co-create change.Find out more about the Canada Excellence Research Chair in Health Equity and Community Wellbeing at https://www.torontomu.ca/cerc-health-equity/Thank you for tuning in!