The Welfare of Women Living with Disabilities in the Rural Areas of South Africa: A Policy Assessment

Abstract

In most developing countries, people with disabilities, particularly women, are ignored and neglected in terms of service delivery, policy inclusion, and gender mainstreaming in public and private sectors and society in general, and South Africa is not immune to this pandemic. In spite of the South Africa government’s attempts to improve the rights of women with disabilities, there has been a gap in the local implementation of these programmes and regulations. Thus, the difficulties faced by women with disabilities endure and are more apparent in rural regions than in urban ones. This article evaluates the well-being of women with disabilities in Nkandla Local Municipality using qualitative analysis in accordance with relevant policies. The study is anchored on the Feminist Disability Theory, policy implementation, and Stakeholder Theory, which are meant to support and shape the objectives of this study. The research findings reveal that most women with a disability experience various challenges related to health care, education, transport and infrastructure, inclusion, participation, and abuse. These obstacles further diminish their ability to exercise their rights. Consequently, the study suggests that the government should demonstrate political will and that resources for organisations that execute disability policies should be enhanced. The resourcing of these institutions will allow them to execute their mandate effectively and ensure the progressive realization of disabled women’s rights. In addition, the researchers advocate for additional empirical study to improve awareness of the concerns and obstacles affecting women with disabilities and disability rights.