ABSTRACT

Women with disabilities (WWD) in rural Zimbabwe are unable to enjoy fundamental rights and freedoms. The aim of this study was to capture the experiences of WWD in a rural setting. Inspired by critical feminist disability theory, this study conducted semi-structured interviews with 25 WWD (in particular, women with visual and physical impairments) in Mberengwa. Their stories demonstrate limited access to education, employment, information, land, and other productive resources. All of the research participants grappled with inaccessible public transport and buildings. Accessing grants, land, farming knowledge, funding for trade, water and toilet facilities became daily struggles. Contextual, socioeconomic, historic, and gendered power relations intersect to heavily limit their functioning. None of the research participants embraced victimhood, but instead resisted pity. Their push-back against abjection took various forms, such as attempting to earn an income, achieving reproductive aspirations, or working the land. Such actions, however, were often met with negative perceptions that equate disability with inability. Based on the findings, it is recommended that institutions responsible for WWD be restructured and better financed. In addition, the study calls for improved mainstreaming, advocacy and awareness-raising about the rights of WWD in rural Zimbabwe.

摘要

津巴布韦农村地区的残疾妇女 (WWD) 无法享有基本权利和自由。本研究的目的是捕捉 WWD 在农村环境中的经历。受批判女权主义残疾理论的启发，本研究对 Mberengwa 的 25 名 WWD（特别是有视力和身体障碍的女性）进行了半结构化访谈。他们的故事表明他们获得教育、就业、信息、土地和其他生产资源的机会有限。所有研究参与者都在努力应对交通不便的公共交通和建筑物。获得赠款、土地、农业知识、贸易资金、水和厕所设施成为日常斗争。背景、社会经济、历史和性别权力关系相互交织，严重限制了它们的运作。没有一个研究参与者接受受害者身份，而是抗拒怜悯。他们以各种形式反抗落魄，例如试图赚取收入、实现生育愿望或耕种土地。然而，此类行为常常遭到将残疾等同于无能力的负面看法。根据调查结果，建议对负责 WWD 的机构进行重组并提供更好的资金。此外，该研究呼吁在津巴布韦农村地区改进关于 WWD 权利的主流化、宣传和意识提升。建议重组负责 WWD 的机构并提供更好的资金。此外，该研究呼吁在津巴布韦农村地区改进关于 WWD 权利的主流化、宣传和意识提升。建议重组负责 WWD 的机构并提供更好的资金。此外，该研究呼吁在津巴布韦农村地区改进关于 WWD 权利的主流化、宣传和意识提升。