Disability is not asexuality: the childbearing experiences and aspirations of women with disability in Zimbabwe

Abstract

The aim of this article is to elucidate the childbearing experiences and aspirations of women with disability in Zimbabwe. The paper draws from a qualitative narrative study conducted by researchers at the University of Cape Town, South Africa, which explored the experiences of sexuality of disabled women in Zimbabwe and which used the Biographic Narrative Interpretive Method to generate data. In part, the study revealed that disabled women often encounter a diverse range of challenges that are associated with disability and which hinder them from realising their full sexual and reproductive health and rights. Some participants recounted that they are happy with the fact that they have their own biological children, albeit registering frustration with the fact that they are in most cases discriminated against both within and outside of reproductive healthcare centres. Participants who had not had any childbearing experiences by the time of the study reported that they aspired to have their own biological children. Whichever way, the women's narratives are challenging the myth that women with disability do not require space in the childbearing arena because they are disabled.

Enablers and barriers in accessing sexual and reproductive health services among visually impaired women in the Ashanti and Brong Ahafo Regions of Ghana

“…Whilst there are growing efforts in highincome countries to address the needs, challenges and barriers to accessing SRH services and care for women with disabilities, those in low-and middleincome countries (LMICs) are more likely to be excluded. [7][8][9][10][11][12][13] Many factors contribute to this exclusion, including negative and stigmatising attitudes at multiple levels (e.g. family, health facilities, societal), inaccurate perceptions that women with disabilities are sexually inactive, and higher levels of sexual and gender-based violence (SGBV).…”

“…Published papers from LMICs have concluded that women with disabilities have limited understanding of SRH services and care and are thus less likely to access services and care due to a lack of inclusive and accessible information and communication. 8,11,13,14 Women with disabilities face numerous access barriers in accessing SRH services and care compared with the general population. [7][8][9][10][11][12][13] These barriers are interrelated and similar across different settings 15 and can be categorised broadly into those related to physical structure, transportation, finance, communication and stigmatising attitudes.…”

“…8,11,13,14 Women with disabilities face numerous access barriers in accessing SRH services and care compared with the general population. [7][8][9][10][11][12][13] These barriers are interrelated and similar across different settings 15 and can be categorised broadly into those related to physical structure, transportation, finance, communication and stigmatising attitudes. 9,11,16 Examples of unfriendly physical structure include the lack of ramps, inaccessible doors, hospital beds and toilet facilities and difficult to read medical labels.…”

“…9,11,16 Examples of unfriendly physical structure include the lack of ramps, inaccessible doors, hospital beds and toilet facilities and difficult to read medical labels. 8,11,13,14 The cost of seeking SRH services and care is high and women with disabilities usually have limited income sources due to unemployment. 12,17,18 In Nepal, for instance, the perceived high cost of seeking care influenced women with disabilities to opt for SRH care in the home.…”

“…7,9 Others note that women with disabilities are stigmatised and discriminated against by health workers and community members due to negative perceptions about disability. 8,15,19,20 This is transferred to the health facility setting, where women with disabilities do not receive preferential treatment to assist them and often endure long waiting times. 10,11 The consequence of these difficulties is that disabled women have poorer health outcomes, secondary co-morbidities and delayed diagnosis.…”