Abstract
Despite increasing recognition of the agency of marginalised groups, the specific agency of women with disabilities from a poverty perspective remains underexplored in academic research. This study addresses this gap by investigating how women with disabilities navigate and mitigate poverty in both rural and urban settings. Drawing on qualitative research conducted with women from resource-constrained contexts, this paper examines the varied experiences and strategies that women with disabilities use to overcome systemic barriers. Our work contributes to an understanding of how agency is exercised by women with disabilities across different contexts, demonstrating their resilience and resourcefulness in the face of intersecting challenges. The analysis places this discussion within the broader discourse on disability and intersectionality, examining the complex relationships between gender, disability, and poverty, and emphasising the role of agency in these experiences.
Points of interest
- This study looks at how women with disabilities deal with poverty in rural and urban areas, using real-life examples from Zimbabwe.
- It shows how women with disabilities find ways to support themselves and their families, even when they face big challenges like limited mobility or lack of access to jobs and education.
- Explains how women with disabilities in poor communities are resourceful and work hard to overcome daily struggles.
- Highlights the need for better support systems, such as accessible transport, healthcare, and education, to help women with disabilities live more independent lives.
- It calls for governments and communities to involve women with disabilities in decision-making so their voices can be heard, and their needs addressed.
