Voices from the periphery: A narrative study of the experiences of sexuality of disabled women in Zimbabwe

abstract

This article forms part of a larger biographical narrative study in which the experiences of sexuality of 16 Shona women with disability in Zimbabwe were explored. The purpose of this article is to use a single case, that of Tsitsi,to illuminate the intersectional nature of her experiences of sexuality. Her narrative is robust in illuminating the confluence of four themes found to be common across all the narratives of the larger study: 1) disregard and rejection; 2) health consequences of gendered sexual stigma; 3) gendered differences in experiences of disability; and 4) gendered cultural discourses on disability. These themes indicate that Tsitsi is located at the centre of a complex, intersecting web of gender, disability, culture and sexuality. Her experiences of sexuality occur in a context in which her disability interacts with normative gender roles and power relations within heteronormative practices and popular cultural constructions of disability; these contribute to her vulnerability to coercive sexual practices, resulting in her infection with HIV. Despite these challenges her determination and resilience emerge through her strong entrepreneurial effort, strategy and hope.

keywords:

• disability
• sexuality
• gender
• culture
• Zimbabwe

Acknowledgements

This study was supported by Canon Collins Educational and Legal Assistance Trust, Margaret McNamara Memorial Fund (World Bank) and the Council for the Development of Social Science Research in Africa.

Notes

1. Pseudonym chosen by the participant herself.

Additional information

Notes on contributors

Christine Peta

CHRISTINE PETA is a PhD candidate in the Department of Health and Rehabilitation Sciences at the University of Cape Town. She is particularly interested in exploring intersections of disability with other identity markers such as sexuality, gender, culture and class within African contexts. Her passion includes research on the link between disability and indigenous health knowledge systems, raising awareness on disability issues and opening channels of engagement between disabled people and those with whom they study, work and live. Email: [email protected]

Judith McKenzie

JUDITH MCKENZIE is a senior lecturer in disability studies at the University of Cape Town. She has a strong research interest in family life and community inclusion of people with disabilities. This includes an interest in issues around sexuality, an area which is frequently neglected in disability research. Email: [email protected]

Harsha Kathard

HARSHA KATHARD is a lecturer and researcher in the Department of Health and Rehabilitation Sciences at the University of Cape Town. She supervises postgraduate research in disability studies, occupational therapy, speech-language therapy and audiology disciplines. She has applied narrative research methodology to disability and rehabilitation disciplines. She has an interest in contributing to knowledge production in Africa. Email: [email protected]