The barriers to motherhood for disabled women in Ghana, Nigeria and Kenya
Date
Authors
Journal Title
Journal ISSN
Volume Title
Publisher
Abstract
While motherhood is a privilege for all women who desire it and make the decision to pursue the same, the narrative may be different for disabled women. Women with disabilities face diverse challenges in realizing their reproductive health rights and their desire to become mothers. The research explores the barriers to motherhood for disabled women in Ghana, Nigeria, and Kenya. The study specifically explores attitudes, superstition, culture, religion, gender roles, rate of disability among women in sub-Saharan Africa, womanhood expectations, sex education and violence, accessibility, gender discrimination and maternal health care. The social model of disability was used to understand better the barriers that disabled women face to becoming mothers. The research was carried out using a qualitative scoping review approach. An in-depth literature review on motherhood barriers among disabled women in Ghana, Nigeria, and Kenya was done. Over three months, the findings were analyzed and discussed. The findings indicated that women with disabilities faced challenges in accessing maternal healthcare facilities due to physical barriers, negative attitudes and stigma, socio-economic factors, discrimination and lack of comprehensive policies and social identities. The study suggested the urgent need for concerted efforts towards physical, social, economic, and policy-related factors to address the motherhood barriers faced by disabled women in Ghana, Nigeria, and Kenya.