Deaf Women Included: an intersectional approach to disability

First of all, what is intersectionality?

The term ‘intersectionality’ was coined to express the conversation between feminism and women of colour, stressing the various hurdles women experience based on their skin colour. This movement advocated for greater inclusion and awareness of the various difficulties that women of colour experience in achieving gender equality. 

Since then, intersectionality has expanded to embrace all characteristics, including race, ethnicity, sexual orientation, age, religion, disability and gender. It’s the notion that these layers do not exist in isolation, but rather interact to construct a person’s identity and amplify any discrimination or marginalisation they may face. In order to eliminate violence against all women and girls, we must examine how violence varies among different groups of women, because the violence women face is not always based solely on their gender. 

What does an intersectional approach mean for women with disabilities?

All people with disabilities are at higher risk of experiencing violence and abuse. However, women with disabilities are statistically at even higher risk.

As a deaf woman with a background in Horticulture, Aliness (29) from Zimbabwe found it difficult to find a job due to discrimination. ‘Though you are very capable of doing the job, they look at your disability, despite the job qualifications you have,’ she says. ‘As women with disabilities, we are stigmatised and we live in fear and uncertainty of what the future holds for us. Gender based violence is [an issue] since many people are not advocating for our rights or standing with us. Access to information when you have a disability and are not educated is difficult, as information is not in an accessible format.’ 

How our partner DWI is changing things for women with disabilities in Zimbabwe

Thanks to Womankind’s partner Deaf Women Included (DWI), Aliness now has the confidence to support herself and is spreading the message that disability is not inability, ‘DWI has supported me through empowering me. The trainings and workshops on leadership and human rights transformed my life for the better because now I can stand on my own and can correctly defend myself. I was also taught to believe in myself so much so that I no longer rely on anyone, and I was motivated to start an income generating project to (have) economic independence. Now, I am teaching other women about financial empowerment.’

Here at Womankind, we strive for an inclusive, feminist movement and we know that means listening to and involving all women, in all their diversities. Join us in reshaping things for women everywhere by signing up to our newsletter below.