Abstract
In the past decade, there has been a growing global recognition of the issue of violence against disabled women. However, despite this increased awareness, this critical issue continues to be neglected and invisible in international and regional policy interventions and gender-based violence discourse. In particular, in the context of India, which is the focus of this research. Despite there being adequate legislation on disability and domestic violence, there has been limited empirical research and policy efforts to effectively address violence against disabled women in India, resulting in a failure to protect women and prevent such violence. The research evidence suggests that disabled women experience multiple barriers when accessing the formal justice system for redressal. At the same time, there is no adequate research evidence on how the idea of justice is understood and conceptualised by abused disabled women.Some of the key findings of this study highlight that the manifestation of violence in the lives of disabled women are unique and complex. The social construction of disability identity influences the disabled women’s conceptualisations and experiences of violence and also shape their ideas of justice. The social construction of disability identity along with other socio-cultural and economic factors also provides the context for how disabled women accept or reject and embody their identity as a disabled. Moreover, the findings also reveal that disabled women encounter attitudinal barriers and ableist challenges at various levels. This occurs both in their experience of violence, and in the process of ending or escaping their abusive relationship and seeking justice. These barriers include individual, family, community, and systemic or structural levels, due to their impairment. The findings also reveal that the idea of justice for battered disabled women tends to change depending on factors such as the duration of the violence and the current situation, the type of impairment, the nature of the violence, and the availability of, and access to, support mechanisms, as well as other intersectional factors. These factors greatly influence and shape the concept of justice for disabled women who have experienced violence. Finally, the study concludes with some evidence-based policy recommendations and interventions to address knowledge gaps and exclusionary practices within gender-based-violence initiatives.
Date of Award | 5 Dec 2023 |
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Original language | English |
Awarding Institution |
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Supervisor | Marianne Hester (Supervisor) & Aisha K Gill (Supervisor) |