Lawmsangpuia Ralte
Ph.D. Scholar, Department of Sociology,
Mizoram University, Aizawl, Mizoram, India
Introduction
The Americans with Disabilities Act of 1990 has given a concrete definition of disability and states that it is either a physical or mental impairment that contributes to limiting one or more major life activities of the affected persons (Balsara, 2014, p. 2). Disability can occur during the course of a person’s lifetime or they can either be present right from the birth of a person. It is also worth noting that disability includes impairment of any kind which qualifies the affected person to be a disabled person. In a global context, it is reported that the prevalence rate of women with disabilities is 19.2 percent while it is only 12 percent for their male counterparts (UN Women, 2018). Hans and Patri (2003) have stated that while women are often depicted as forming a ‘marginalized’ section, women with disabilities face double the marginal discrimination compared to normal able women (p. 76). It is further noted that women with disabilities are not only discriminated against by society, but they are also virtually ignored by both able-bodied women as well as disabled men (Hans and Patri, 2003, p.76). The problems and issues faced by these women doubled as compared to the issues faced by men with disabilities and are significantly worse off in many instances (Bhuimali, 2009, p. 35). Bhuimali (2009) has also stressed that most of the international developmental programs have also failed to address the hardships and problems faced by these women on international platforms (p. 141.) Even if they are addressed, the enforcement is weak and not properly policed and enforced (Oliver, 1996, p.59). Besides, Meinert & Yuen (2012) have also contended that the caregivers also face challenges in terms of providing humane and effective care in the absence of adequate societal support. Addlakha (2013) has also argued that all these factors lead to the absence of confidence and self-assurance which further disrupts the lives of these women and acts as major stumbling blocks in their lives. It can be said that these failures to address the issues have led to the suffrage of women with disabilities living in all corners of the world including Aizawl.
In the context of Aizawl, which is the capital of Mizoram state in India, women with disabilities form a small sub-group in society. The exact number of their total number is unknown as there is no formal census or data collected by the government. The problems and struggles faced by these women in Aizawl extend beyond societal stigma. Since time immemorial, men have taken a lead stranglehold in almost all social positions and if women with disabilities ever came forth for any kind of attention, it came off as an object of pity (Hans and Patri, 2003, p. 151). The struggles do not end there in Aizawl. The facilities to aid their disabilities are not easily accessible to them and also, attending schools come off as a huge challenge which ultimately leads to difficulty in attaining employment opportunities for them.
Methodology
The study is a qualitative method in which in-depth interview and observation research techniques are used to study 60 women with disabilities who are purposively sampled to explore the importance of facilities such as the availability of assistive devices as well as the attainment of education and employment sectors which can lead to their sustainable development. The study is also conducted to draw inferences with regard to the issues faced in terms of Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs).
Theoretical Framework for the Study
Some Issues Faced in Terms of Assistive Devices
In the city of Aizawl, the facilities in terms of assistive devices used commonly by the women with disabilities include spectacles, hearing aids, crutches, and wheelchairs. Even though there are quite a number of other assistive facilities available as a whole, these devices are mainly used by women with disabilities in Aizawl. It is clearly evident from the study that most of the respondents did not have any access to assistive devices to aid their disability either because of financial issues or uncomfortable uses. Among the 60 respondents, only 15 of them have access to assistive devices. The following table clearly highlights the result.
Table 1: Do you have access to assistive devices?
| Gender | Do you have access to assistive devices? | | | | Total |
|--------------------------|------------------------------------------|----|----|----|-------|
| Women with disabilities | Yes | No | I don’t know | Total |
| | 15 (25%) | 45 (75%) | 0 | 60 |
| Total | 15 (25%) | 45 (75%) | 0 | 60 |
The above table has clearly shown that among the 60 respondents, only 15 (25 percent) women have access to assistive devices to aid their disabilities. The remaining 45 women or 75 percent do not have any access to assistive devices due to the fact that they can’t afford them or the devices are not available for them. Amongst the 45 women, the financial issue is the main problem that arises when they try to access these devices. However, the case is different for intellectually disabled women as there are no proper assistive devices available to them in Mizoram. The main issue faced in terms of assistive devices is that the available devices tend to be expensive which is not sustainable for these women who are not economically well-off. Overall, the women who have access and use devices regularly highly benefited from it. They also contribute to ‘normal functioning’ in their day-to-day life and often prove to be sustainable for them as it enables them to carry on with their normal work without much burden.
In the case of Lalthanpari, she had a cochlear implant. The process has been done in order to aid her hearing but still faced occasional problems as the procedure would often bring pain and discomfort for the user.
“I am fortunate to get a cochlear implant but the process is rather expensive and does not come without risk. I often have some discomfort in my ears sometimes but I did not want to complain about anything as I know how difficult it is to be deaf. Having some discomfort after having a cochlear implant is still better than being deaf as it allows me to work and function properly like a normal able human. The assistive device has helped me in my workplace and because of it, I am capable of working full time without having much problem. Had I not had this implant done, I would have faced lots of issues and would not be able to carry on with my job which requires certain listening skills. Though I still can’t hear perfectly with the implants, I am still glad that I can hear some sounds now as compared to earlier” (Lalthanpari, 41, teacher at school for disabled children).
SDGs in Terms of Education
The Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs) ensure inclusive and equitable quality education and also promote lifelong learning opportunities for all. However, even though it is noted that women with disabilities have higher literacy rates than men with disabilities, they are more likely to have less educational attainment and difficulty in reaching their desired potential goals.
The following table clearly highlights the educational attainment of women with disabilities in Aizawl:
Table 2: Educational Attainment of Women with Disabilities in Aizawl
| Educational Attainment | Frequency | Percentage |
|------------------------|-----------|------------|
| Illiterate | 15 | 25% |
| Primary | 18 | 30% |
| Secondary | 12 | 20% |
| Higher Secondary | 9 | 15% |
| Graduate | 6 | 10% |
| Post Graduate | 0 | 0% |
| Total | 60 | 100% |
The above table highlights that the majority of the respondents attained a primary level of education (30 percent), followed by secondary level (20 percent), and higher secondary level (15 percent). Only 10 percent of the respondents attained a graduate level of education, and none of the respondents attained a post-graduate level of education.
It is evident that the women with disabilities in Aizawl face significant challenges in attaining higher education. The issues include financial constraints, lack of accessible educational facilities, and societal stigma. These barriers prevent them from achieving their full potential and hinder their ability to contribute effectively to society.
SDGs in Terms of Employment
The SDGs promote sustained, inclusive, and sustainable economic growth, full and productive employment, and decent work for all. However, women with disabilities in Aizawl face numerous challenges in accessing employment opportunities.
Table 3: Employment Status of Women with Disabilities in Aizawl
| Employment Status | Frequency | Percentage |
|-------------------|-----------|------------|
| Employed | 12 | 20% |
| Unemployed | 48 | 80% |
| Total | 60 | 100% |
The above table shows that only 20 percent of the respondents are employed, while the majority (80 percent) are unemployed. The challenges faced by these women in securing employment include lack of accessible workplaces, societal discrimination, and inadequate support from the government and private sectors.
Despite these challenges, the employed women have reported that having a job significantly improves their self-esteem and quality of life. It provides them with financial independence and a sense of purpose.
One of the respondents, Zothanpari, shared her experience:
“Being employed has given me a sense of purpose and financial independence. It allows me to support my family and contribute to society. However, I had to overcome numerous challenges to secure this job, including societal stigma and lack of accessible facilities. I hope that in the future, more opportunities will be available for women with disabilities, and society will become more inclusive and supportive” (Zothanpari, 35, office assistant).
Conclusion
In conclusion, women with disabilities in Aizawl face significant challenges in terms of access to assistive devices, education, and employment. These challenges hinder their ability to achieve sustainable development and contribute effectively to society. It is essential to address these issues by providing accessible facilities, financial support, and creating an inclusive and supportive environment. Only then can the Sustainable Development Goals be truly achieved for women with disabilities in Aizawl.
References
- Addlakha, R. (2013). Disability and Society: A Reader. Orient Blackswan.
- Balsara, R. (2014). Disability and Development. Sage Publications.
- Bhuimali, A. (2009). Understanding Disability: A Lifespan Approach. Sage Publications.
- Hans, A., & Patri, A. (2003). Women, Disability and Identity. Sage Publications.
- Meinert, C., & Yuen, F. (2012). Understanding the Social Model of Disability. Disability Studies Quarterly.
- Oliver, M. (1996). Understanding Disability: From Theory to Practice. Macmillan Education UK.
- UN Women. (2018). Facts and figures: Women with disabilities.