The Intersectionality of Gender and Disability: Experiences of Professional Women with Disabilities in Addis Ababa
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Date
2022-05
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Addis Ababa University
Abstract
This study attempted to shade light on the diverse realities of inequalities for women with disabilities from intersectional perspectives. The objectives of the study were examining the lives of working women with disabilities and exploring how disability and gender intersect to shape their personal and professional life. This study employed a qualitative research design and relied on qualitative data from in-depth interviews and FGD. A phenomenological approach was used to analyze the intimate accounts of individuals’ experiences. Purposive and snow-ball sampling techniques were used to identify working women with disabilities. A total of eight women with various types of disabilities interviewed and seven participants joined the DGD. Disabled women face discriminations unparalleled to their counterpart women without disabilities. Some of the personal and professional life of women with disabilities affected at the intersection of gender and disability are 1) their perceived beauty and attractiveness (deviation from socially constructed ideals of femininity); 2) traditional gender norms and roles(real and perceived incapacity of adequately discharging household responsibilities); 3) perceived limitations in forming and sustaining relationships, marriage, and childbirth; participation in community life; 4) vulnerability to sexual violence; and 5) access to employment, education and health services. The study revealed disabled persons themselves and families shoulder burdens associated to gender and disability due to negative perceptions and lack of institutionalized support mechanisms. Questions of women with disabilities are different from the general category of ‘women’ or ‘disability’. But interventions attempt to address issues either under the ‘women’ or ‘disability’ categories. Disability prevents women from meeting criteria that women are judged on, making them unable to fulfill expectations. Women with disabilities are systematically excluded from active participation in social life of their community. Employers use recruitment processes to discriminate against disabled women. Women with disabilities are sexually abused more than other women. Their vulnerability is left unrecognized because people associate violence with ‘sexual attractiveness’. Disabled women feel that the medical professionals discourage sexual relations, pregnancy and reported mistreatment. Disability interferes with a woman’s symbolic gender role leading to difficulty accepting disabled women as a wife. Disabled women are expected to go extra miles and prove their competence in workplace. The study revealed challenges shaped disabled women’s lives and inspired them to reach higher levels of education, work ethics, self-reliance, and resilience. The study suggested the implementation of awareness-raising initiatives to redress negative attitudes, gender norms, sexism, and disability bias. Programs on gender-based violence, education, health, and employment should pay attention to peculiarities at the intersection of gender and disability. Success stories of women with disabilities should be highlighted to inspire others and overcome negative stereotypes. Further studies are recommended to understand the way gender-based violence and other aspects of the interplay between gender and disability impacts men with disabilities.
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Keywords
Intersectionality, Gender, Disability.