Women with disabilities in the North West province of Cameroon: resilient and deserving of greater attention

Abstract

Cameroonian women living with disabilities face three‐fold discrimination as a result of their sex, perceived inability and low socio‐economic status. A needs assessment using focus groups (two focus groups, n = 24) and key participant interviews (n = 12) was conducted to explore the experiences of women with disabilities in the North West province in both urban and rural areas. The findings show that women faced both physical and attitudinal barriers, lived in poverty and felt that they lacked opportunities for gaining an education, finding employment and forming meaningful social ties. There was significant complexity of relationships, marriage and children in their lives. Participants generated ideas on changes that needed to be made for the betterment of their lives. Aspirations included increasing empowerment and education, gaining support from family and friends, increasing public awareness, adapting the physical environment and finding allies.

Keywords:

• women
• disabilities
• developing countries
• Cameroon
• qualitative research

Acknowledgements

My deepest thanks go to Professor Lynn Cockburn, Dr Kitty Corbett, Pooja Bakshi and all the women and men of Cameroon who collaborated on this study.