What instances of unique stigma do women impacted by albinism face in Nigeria and Madagascar as a result of the intersectionality of gender and disability?

Key, Holly and Baker, Charlotte (2024) What instances of unique stigma do women impacted by albinism face in Nigeria and Madagascar as a result of the intersectionality of gender and disability? PhD thesis, Lancaster University.

Text (2024keymasters)
2024keymasters.pdf - Published Version
Restricted to Repository staff only until 11 December 2029.
Download (601kB)

Abstract

This dissertation explores the stigma faced by women impacted by albinism in Sub-Saharan Africa, with a country-specific focus on Nigeria and Madagascar, in order to raise more awareness of the unique problems faced by women with albinism (WWA) and mothers of children with albinism (CWA). Such unique problems often stem from the intersectionality of gender and disability, resulting in WWA often facing separate prejudice and misconceptions to men with albinism. The unique issues faced by WWA are often overlooked in scholarship surrounding albinism in Sub-Saharan Africa, and so this dissertation aims to uncover the effects of such intersectionality on WWA, including how they are perceived and treated by others in their communities. Such a dissertation subject intends to fill a gap in the literature surrounding albinism research, specifically regarding a direct focus on WWA, in two countries where albinism research is already scarce. The dissertation focuses on three main subjects – mothering and albinism, education and work, and violence – in order to explore different aspects of the lives of WWA and the discrimination they face in such roles. The data for this dissertation was collected through correspondence with both the past and current UN independent experts on the rights of persons with albinism and a Nigerian academic with albinism, who provided useful information regarding the treatment of WWA in Nigeria and Madagascar, and how such treatment can be improved. The findings of this research emphasise the need for better implementations of specific support for women impacted by albinism, due to much of the available support for albinism being tailored towards all people with albinism. Therefore, more attention must be paid towards women impacted by albinism both by researchers and governments alike, in order for the lives of WWA to be improved.