Are we leaving women with disabilities in the Global South behind? How the reinforcement of different forms of violence leads to unsustainable development

Abstract

This study explores the pervasive and multifaceted violence faced by women with disabilities in Nepal, focusing on the ways in which these experiences are shaped by intersecting social hierarchies, including those based on gender, caste, and socioeconomic status. Through 25 qualitative interviews conducted in the Kathmandu Valley, the research reveals the complex interplay between personal, structural, and cultural violence, drawing upon comprehensive violence theories and intersectional analysis. The findings indicate that these women are subjected to a range of forms of violence perpetrated by family members, community figures, and within institutional settings. Despite the advancement of Nepal's policy framework in alignment with international disability rights instruments and the United Nations' 2030 Agenda for Sustainable Development, the study underscores the discrepancy between existing legal provisions and the lived realities of women with disabilities. Systemic barriers, stigmatisation and inadequate support structures serve to increase their exposure to and susceptibility to violence, adversely impacting their health, well-being and personal development. This research calls for more targeted and inclusive strategies that prioritise the perspectives and needs of disabled women to ensure the global commitment to “leave no one behind” is upheld.