Fighting the odds: strategies of female caregivers of disabled children in Zimbabwe

Abstract

Caregivers of disabled children face numerous challenges in meeting their child’s needs. Research on Zimbabwean caregivers of disabled children is limited. Yet the difficult socio-economic, political and institutional context is expected to complicate the caregiving task. This article examines the resources and caring strategies of female caregivers in Mutare, Zimbabwe, using a well-being framework. Through a mixed-methods approach, the data reveals that external support is extremely limited, particularly due to stigma and a weak state. Caregivers are mostly self-reliant and their strategies focus on enabling themselves to take care of their child.

Keywords:

• disability
• children
• caregivers
• well-being
• Zimbabwe
• Africa

Notes

1. In terms of the definition of disability prevalent in Zimbabwe, all three main models of disability identified in disability studies are of influence. The country portrays the moral model in popular beliefs and uses both the medical and social model of disability in its policies (Zimbabwe Government 1992). We therefore use the holistic definition of disability of the World Health Organization (ICF-CY: International Classification of Functioning, Disability and Health for Children and Youth) published on the organization’s website (http://www.who.int/classifications/icf/en).

2. This study is part of a larger research conducted for the University of Amsterdam. This also incorporated the subjective experiences of the caregivers in terms of quality of life. For argument purposes, this study focuses only on resources, strategies and structures.

3. In disability and care research, this division is not commonly used. However, by reviewing the literature on frequently employed (coping) strategies, an understanding of needs and resources is gained as well.

4. See www.sport4socialisation.org. S4S tries to improve the quality of life of disabled children in Africa through adapted and integrated leisure activities, individual child support, income-generating projects and parent support groups.