Disability has, for centuries, been a taboo topic in our society. Disabled people are stereotyped, discriminated against, and denied access to basic human decency. On the other hand, the patriarchal system of our society has always been disadvantageous for women. Yet, the intersection of two of the most discriminated and marginalised sections of the society has not been of a matter of prime concern for public discussions. The manner in which they are overlooked and their exclusion from social and political spheres has further led to the negligence of their ability to realise their basic needs and rights. It, therefore, becomes essential to acknowledge the challenges faced by disabled women due to their dual disadvantageous status in the society.
Since the upsurge of feminist movements in India, there has been a range of gender-based studies in different disciplines, but little work has been done around taking disability into account. The construction of a disability identity – possessing a positive sense of self and feelings of connection to, or solidarity with, the disabled community – requires mental and emotional strength, as well as support from friends, family, and community. People struggle with developing a disability identity with all the prerequisites in mind, but to develop one along with being a disadvantaged gender in society, seems an achievement in itself. Identities of disability are further dominated by caste, class, gender, and religious factors which govern the cultural and social environment of the person.
One of the major challenges faced by disabled women is gaining access to educational spaces. Although the literacy rate in India has improved overtime, the literacy rate of disabled female persons in India has not even reached fifty percent yet. Those who, after many trials and laborious procedures, reach the stage of acquiring education in public institutions, face marginalisation due to their disability. The lack of infrastructure that is particularly sensitive to the needs of disabled students in general, and disabled girl students in particular, increase the accessibility problems for them. Many avoid such social interactions on a daily basis due to the prejudiced societal gaze. Barriers like these prevent adequate representations at higher positions in government as well as private institutions. It also contributes to the list of difficulties a disabled female person faces in being employed.
Apart from the public sphere, women with disabilities come across challenges at the domestic front as well. Violence against women with disabilities in private sphere can range from neglect and physical abuse, to them not not being able to find a partner who is not prejudiced. In a society which considers women a liability, women with disabilities are often abandoned. In fact, they also are more likely than boys with disabilities to be (sexually) abused particularly by family members. Even after marriage, there is an extreme possibility of them being discriminated against, abused, and neglected. What one should not forget here is that harassment is both physical as well as mental. It is paramount, therefore, that women with disabilities are provided with adequate knowledge about sexuality which will equip them to understand that they have been sexually assaulted. There is the need for policy makers to ensure greater accessibility to complaint and redressal mechanisms for them.
The question of women’s agency is central to the feminist discourse at large, in this particular case the issue of women’s agency seems to be in grave peril. There are several limitations – societal prejudices, familial obligations, caste, class, and so on – for women who strive to exercise their agency. Women with disabilities tend to lose out on this right all the more. Decisions about their life are taken by the patriarch of the family. While the actions of these decision makers might be well-meaning, they don’t understand that they take away the right of the woman to make the decision herself when acting on behalf of them. When a woman with a disability tries to participate as a major decision maker in her own life, she has to overcome many hurdles. They don’t always succeed in battles like these.
Thus it can be observed that there is a dire need of infrastructural and legislative changes with regard to women with disability as well as the need for spreading awareness amongst them about their rights. More importantly, it is necessary to recognize the rights of women with disabilities over their own bodies and lives.
Khyati is a third year History student at Lady Shri Ram College for women. She believes that words have the power to change the society, and tends to use these. Interested in research, she's expecting to pursue the same in furure.
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