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"I thought . . . maybe this is my chance"

Sexual Abuse Against Girls and Women With Disabilities in Malawi

SINTEF Health Research, Oslo, Norway

Stine Hellum Braathen

SINTEF Health Research, Oslo, Norway

This article is based on a pilot study conducted in Malawi in 2006 that intended to uncover episodes of violence and abuse against women and girls with disabilities and furthermore to explore the mechanisms behind such acts. The stories of 23 women with disabilities were obtained through in-depth semistructured interviews that covered, among other topics, aspects of sexual abuse experienced by or known to these women. None of the informants reported having been sexually abused during childhood. In adulthood, several had experienced what they themselves defined as sexual abuse: Men came and wanted to "marry" them. When the woman became pregnant, the man disappeared and left her alone. The interviewees were very opinionated regarding this theme and sought both social and political action in this matter, especially a means to enforce men to take economic responsibility for their biological children. The informants stressed that adapted education for women with disabilities would allow them to become more economically independent and be better able to refuse the advances of unserious suitors.

Key Words: sexual abuse • sexual harassment • girls/women with disabilities • Malawi

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