The Intersection of Disability and Gender-Based Violence in Marriages of Visually Impaired Women: A Sociological Study in Punjab, India

Abstract

This research paper explores the intersection of disability and gender-based violence in the marriages of visually impaired women in Punjab, India. Visually impaired women face not only the challenges associated with disability but are also susceptible to gender-based violence within the patriarchal structure of Indian society. This study aims to understand the unique vulnerabilities faced by these women due to the compounded effects of gender and disability-based discrimination. Using qualitative interviews with visually impaired women, this research has critic ally examined the forms of abuse and violence. 40 women with visual impairment who were married either employed or unemployed were selected purposively by using snow ball technique from the state of Punjab. The broad objective of this study is to explore the issues of violence, type of violence faced and what type of strategies used by women to cope with violence. The findings of the study suggested that the main cause of domestic violence against women with visual impairment is financial reliance on spouses which can lead to power imbalances and often limits autonomy. The most common type of Violence against visually impaired women is a lack of communication and being ignored, reported by 16 respondents, while 14 respondents reported demeaned, insulted, or criticized, indicating verbal and psychological abuse followed by Physical violence reported by 11 respondents. The study found that the majority of incidents (52.5%) of domestic violence against married women with visual impairments are committed by the husband alone, reported by 21 respondents. Furthermore, the most common coping mechanism, reported by 14 respondents (35%), is interaction with family members and friends, indicating that social support plays a crucial role in managing stress and fostering emotional well-being.  Finally, the results of the study stress the need to provide more educational, employment and rehabilitative services to women with visual impairment.