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.
Highlights
On a global scale, women with disability rank among the most discriminated against minority groups, it is not surprising that their experiences of childbearing and early motherhood have largely been ignored,[1] resulting in a paucity of international and local studies on the subject
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
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
Summary
Women with disability rank among the most discriminated against minority groups, it is not surprising that their experiences of childbearing and early motherhood have largely been ignored,[1] resulting in a paucity of international and local studies on the subject. A study carried out by Thomas[1] in the UK revealed that the reproductive experiences, desires and choices of women with disability are embedded with further concerns arising from the marginalisation they encounter in their personal experiences of living with impairment. Accessing appropriate reproductive healthcare for women with disability alone; but women without disability may be affected. Such attitudes may further marginalise women with disability, given that a number of healthcare professionals often assume that people with disability are sick persons who should only consult healthcare centres for illnesses that are related to disability.[3] Yet, persons with disability have every right to consult healthcare institutions for reasons which may not necessarily be disability related,[4] such as access to contraceptives or for pregnancy related issues. According to Thomas,[1] women with disability are discriminated against from the onset of pregnancy right through to motherhood
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