Empowerment and Vulnerability: A Multicountry Study of Sexual Autonomy and Violence among Women with Disabilities in Africa

Obasanjo Bolarinwa, University of the Witswaterand
Clifford O. Odimegwu, University of the Witwatersrand
Aliu Mohammed, University of Cape Coast, Cape Coast, Ghana

Sexual violence remains a significant public health issue globally, particularly for women in Africa. While global trends show a decrease, evidence suggests an increasing prevalence among African women, with women with disabilities at the highest risk. Despite efforts to improve the sexual and reproductive rights of women, there is limited research on how sexual autonomy impacts sexual violence prevention among women with disabilities in Africa. This study seeks to address this gap by exploring the intersection between sexual autonomy and sexual violence across ten African countries. Using intersectionality theory, the study examined how multiple social identities intersect to shape experiences of discrimination and violence. A sequential explanatory design will be used, analysing secondary data and conducting in-depth interviews. The research identified spatial patterns, country variations, and relationships between sexual autonomy and violence. Logistic regression and thematic analysis were employed, with significance set at p<0.05. Preliminary results show notable country-level differences in sexual violence prevalence, with hotspots in DR Congo, Kenya, Malawi, and Uganda. Interestingly, sexual autonomy is linked to increased violence in some contexts, challenging assumptions about its protective role. This research provides valuable insights for policymakers on autonomy measurement and reducing violence against women with disabilities in Africa.

Keywords: Sexual and Reproductive Health and Rights, Spatial Demography, Inequality, Disadvantage and Discrimination, Mixed methods research

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