• A Survey on Understanding How Gender and Disability Shape Our Lives

  • Introduction

    Hello! Thank you for taking the time to share your experiences.

    First thing first, we reccomend that you view this survey form through your laptop and desktop screen. For an alternative survey format, we have provided a link below to download the Word Document. 

    AIDA (Autism Inclusiveness Direct Action Group) is conducting this survey to inform our written contribution to the upcoming CEDAW General Discussion on Gender Stereotypes. We believe in self-representation, dignity, and self-determination, especially for under-represented groups such as autistic people, those with psychosocial or intellectual disabilities, and people with hidden disabilities.

    We know that Asian voices, particularly from Malaysia, are often overlooked in global discussions on gender and disability. Through this survey, we want to highlight your lived experiences of discrimination and stereotypes—especially in education, work, healthcare, family, leadership, and unpaid caregiving.

    By participating in this survey, you will help us advocate for fairer laws and policies that respect diverse identities, needs, and cultural contexts, as well as helping us shape how AIDA should consider our roadmap for disability justice in the future.

    While this survey is primarily to inform our written submission, we also aim to better understand the themes and perceptions surrounding gender and disability for our future initiatives. This report will be submitted from the lens of autism, as well as the perspectives of women and girls with psychosocial and intellectual disabilities, and hidden disabilities—a perspective sorely missing from the global conversation on disability rights and justice.

    Although this survey is Malaysian-focused, we welcome input from those outside of Malaysia for comparative insights. We have also designed this survey for adults (18 years and above). If you are under 18 and would like to contribute, please reach out to us so we can provide the necessary content in a way that is appropriate and accessible for you.

    Confidentiality: Your answers are confidential and will be used only to support our CEDAW submission and related advocacy in further understanding the intersectionality between gender and disability in Malaysia.

    Voluntary Participation: You can skip any question you do not want to answer (though we encourage you to respond to as many as possible for a fuller picture).

    Plain Language: We have kept the language simple for clarity and ease of response.

    Length of Responses: You can write as much or as little as you like, according to your comfort or how best to express yourself.

    Accessibility and Support : If this format is not accessible for you and you would be more comfortable in giving us your input in an alternative format, or if you need support completing the form, please email hello@project-lily.org

    You may also download this survey as a Word Document that's screen reader friendly, through this link: https://tinyurl.com/GenderDisabilitySurvey

     

    Self-Care Note

    Some questions may involve reflecting on personal or difficult experiences, which can be emotionally triggering. Please remember you can take breaks at any time. You may stop and return to the survey later, or simply submit the responses as you have completed. Your wellbeing is our priority.

  • Part 1: About You

  • 1. How do you describe your gender? (Tick all that apply)*
  • 2. Which of the following describe your disability?  (Tick all that apply)*

  • Note for Malaysian respondents: If you identify with the “OKU Learning Disabilities” category, you may select ‘Intellectual or learning disability’. If you are neurodivergent (such as autism, ADHD, Tourette syndrome, etc.), please also tick ‘Neurodivergent’. You can tick more than one box if both apply.

  • 3. Do you have a formal diagnosis or any official disability identification (for example, Kad OKU)?
  • 4. Where do you live?*
  • 5. What is your age?*
  • 6. Do you identify with any of the following? (Tick all that apply)

  • Part 2: Gender Stereotypes and Your Quality Of Life 

    General explainer  on Gender Stereotypes: Gender stereotypes are generalized beliefs about the roles or characteristics expected of men and women, that can limit their personal development and choices.

    Whether hostile (e.g., "women are irrational") or seemingly benign (e.g., "women are nurturing"), such stereotypes perpetuate inequalities. For instance, the view of women as a provider of care often places child care responsibilities solely on them.

  • 8. Have gender stereotypes made it harder for you to do any of the following? (If Yes, please explain how)

  • (a) It was hard for me to access or complete my education
  • (b) It was hard for me to get or keep a job
  • (c) It was hard for me to access healthcare
  • Q9 - Have you ever been told that you cannot do something (work, study, have a family) because of your gender and disability?
  • Q10 - How do you think your gender identity has shaped your life as a disabled person? (Tick all that apply and explain more if you wish)
  • Q11 - Do you think society treats disabled men and disabled women differently?

  • Part 3: Disability and Gender Stereotypes in Work, Education, and Care

  • Q12 - Have you ever been denied a job or treated unfairly at work or in your school(college, university) because of gender stereotypes? Example: My boss assumed I should have a ‘softer’ job because I am a disabled woman or my university awarded a funded research project to another classmate who’s a man.
  • Q13 - Have you been paid less, given fewer opportunities, or pushed into certain types of jobs because of gender and disability stereotypes?Example: People assume disabled women should do “care” related jobs, or disabled men should work in technical roles.
  • Q14 - Have you ever been discouraged from applying for leadership roles in work or education because of gender stereotypes about disability? Example: My manager said a disabled woman would find leadership “too stressful.” or my lecturer said it was better for me to focus on support roles instead of aiming for leadership.
  • Q15 - In school, college, or any other educational setting, did teachers, lecturers, support staff, or classmates treat you differently because of gender stereotypes? (You can reflect on any experiences from the past or present.)
  • Q16 - Do you feel that people assume you should either be receiving care or providing care because of your gender and disability? Example: People assume I am dependent on my family because I am a disabled woman, or they assume I must take care of family members because I am a woman.
  • Q17 - In your daily life, do you take care of others in any way, such as helping family members, supporting friends, or being responsible for someone’s needs? (This can include emotional support, household tasks, or other forms of responsibility—whether or not you see it as “care work.”)

  • Part 4: Healthcare and Access to Services

  • Q18 - How do you usually access healthcare? (Tick all that apply.)
  • Q19 - Have you struggled to find healthcare that is both accessible for your disability and meets your gender-related needs? Example: There are no gynaecologists trained to support disabled women, or my autism makes it difficult for me to access medical care because the registration process is overwhelming.
  • Q20 - Have you ever been denied healthcare or had your health concerns ignored because of gender stereotypes? Example: A doctor assumed I did not need reproductive healthcare because I am a disabled woman or they dismissed my concerns and questions as anxiety and that I “worry” too much.
  • Q21 - Have healthcare providers ever made assumptions about your body, health, or abilities based on gender stereotypes about disability?Example: Doctors assume I don’t want children because I am disabled, or they assume my pain is not real because I am a woman.
  • Q22 - Have you faced barriers in accessing sexual or reproductive healthcare because of gender and disability stereotypes?Example: A doctor refused to give me birth control because they assumed I am not sexually active, or I was discouraged from having children because I am disabled.
  • Q23 - Have you ever been pressured or forced into any medical treatment (including sterilisation, birth control, therapy, or psychiatric treatments) because of stereotypes about your gender and disability?
  • Q24 - Have you ever been pressured, encouraged, or forced to be institutionalised (placed in a hospital, care home, or facility) because of your disability?Example: My family wanted to put me in a home because they thought I was “too difficult” or “too emotional” to live independently.
  • Q25 - Have you ever felt unsafe, disrespected, or mistreated when seeking healthcare because of your gender and disability?Example: A doctor dismissed my pain, refused to listen to me, or treated me without my consent.
  • Q26 - Have you ever avoided or delayed seeking medical care because of past negative experiences?
  • Q26(a) - If Yes, what made you avoid it? (Tick all that apply.)
  • Q27 - Have you ever been denied full information or the right to make decisions about your own medical treatment?Example: A doctor made choices for me without explaining my options, or I was not given a say in my own treatment plan.
  • Q28 - Does the cost of healthcare impact you differently because of your gender and disability?Example: I need ongoing medical support, but I cannot afford it, and financial support schemes do not consider my needs as a woman/girl/gender diverse person?  gendered needs.

  • Part 5: Safety, Access to Justice, and Gender-Based Violence

  • Q29 - Have gender stereotypes stopped you from getting justice (for abuse, violence, or discrimination)?Example: The police did not take my complaint seriously because they saw me as “weak” or assumed I was not a reliable witness.
  • Q30 - Have you ever felt unsafe in public or private spaces because of gender stereotypes about disability?Example: Strangers assume I need help and touch me without asking, or people believe I am weak and easy to take advantage of.
  • Q31 - When something unfair, harmful, or discriminatory happens to you, do you feel it is worth seeking fairness or justice?
  • Q31(a) - If No, why not? (Tick all that apply.)
  • Q32 - Have you ever been pressured or forced into a relationship, marriage, or sexual activity because of gender and disability stereotypes? Example: My family assumed I could not take care of myself, so they arranged for me to get married.
  • Q33 - Have you ever been denied justice or legal protection (for abuse, violence, or discrimination) because of gender stereotypes about disability? Example: A lawyer refused to represent me, or the police told me to “just accept it” because of my disability, my family discouraged me as it would be too stressful.
  • Q34 - Have police, lawyers, or courts treated you unfairly because of gender stereotypes about disability?Example: The court dismissed my case because they assumed I was lying or “confused” due to my disability.
  • Q35 - Have you ever been institutionalised or confined against your will as a response to your distress, emotions, or personal choices? Example: My family or a doctor put me in a psychiatric hospital because they believed my emotions were “too much” or that I could not make decisions for myself.
  • Q36 - Have you ever been threatened with being placed in an institution, shelter, or “sent away” when you tried to report abuse, discrimination, or harm?

  • Part 6: Leadership and Public Life

  • Q38 - Do you see yourself as a leader or believe you could be a leader?
  • Q38(a) - If you selected “No” or “Not sure,” what are the reasons? (Tick all that apply.)
  • Q39 - Have you faced barriers in leadership or decision-making (in school, work, or politics) because of gender and disability stereotypes? Example: People assume disabled women cannot be leaders, or I was discouraged from speaking up in meetings.
  • Q40 - Have you ever been told you are “not suited” for leadership or decision-making roles because of your gender and disability?Example: People assume I am too emotional or weak to lead, or that I should focus on care work instead.
  • Q41 - In your community, family, or workplace, do you notice that leadership positions tend to be held by certain groups of people?
  • Q42 - Have you ever been passed over for a leadership opportunity even though you had the skills and experience?
  • Q42(a) - If yes, what do you think were the reasons? (Tick all that apply.)
  • Q43 - Have you ever felt pressured to change how you speak or behave in order to be taken seriously as a leader?Example: People told me to be more like a man, less emotional, or more confident.
  • Q43(a) - If yes, what kind of expectations did you face? (Tick all that apply.)
  • Q44 - In Malaysia, what kind of leadership styles are most respected or expected? (Tick all that apply.)
  • Q45 - Have you ever taken on leadership or advocacy roles in non-traditional spaces (such as activism, online spaces, caregiving, or community work)?☐ Yes☐ No☐ Not sure
  • Q45(a) - If yes, how did people react? (Tick all that apply.)
  • Q45 - In what spaces do you feel you have the most decision-making power? (Tick all that apply.)

  • Part 7: Future Considerations and Hope

  • Q48 - Do you think gender stereotypes about disability have affected your daily life?
  • Q48(a) - If yes, how? (Tick all that apply.)
  • Q49 -  What changes would you like to see for disabled women and non-binary people in the future, globally? (Tick all that apply.)
  • Q50 -  What changes would you like to see in Malaysia to improve the lives of disabled women and non-binary people? (Tick all that apply.)
  • Q51 -  In Malaysia, how do you think culture and family shape the way disability rights are understood and treated? (Tick all that apply.)
  • Q52 -  Who do you think is responsible for making change happen for disabled women and non-binary people? (Tick all that apply.)

  • Final Section : Reflections and Next Steps 

    Thank you for your time and insights, this is the final section.

    Your voice is important, and your experiences will contribute to AIDA’s submission for the CEDAW General Discussion on Gender Stereotypes. If you know other disabled women or non-binary people who would like to contribute, please share this survey with them. 

  • Q58 -  Would you like to receive updates on how your input is used for the submission?
  • Q59 - While this survey is anonymised, would you be open to AIDA reaching out to you for further clarifications, additional input, or to be part of future initiatives?
  • Q60 - If Yes, how would you like to be contacted? (Please leave us your e-mail and/or a mobile number. Please also include your preferred name to be addressed by us)

  • 💜 Thank You. You have Now Completed The Survey 💜


    We deeply appreciate the time, emotional labour, and thought you have put into sharing your experiences. Your insights will help shape advocacy for real change.

    We encourage you to take a short break after completing this survey—maybe with your favourite snack, a warm cup of tea, or a scoop of ice cream. 🍦 You deserve it.


    Thank you for being part of this important conversation. 💜

     

     

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