Disability and intimate partner violence in fragile states: A multi-country analysis

Abstract

The 2030 Sustainable Development Goals call for both the elimination of violence against women and girls and disability-disaggregated data. However, few population-based, multi-country studies have examined how disability impacts intimate partner violence (IPV) in fragile settings. Demographic and Health Survey data from five countries (Pakistan, Timor-Leste, Mali, Uganda, and Haiti) were pooled and analyzed to assess the relationship between disability and IPV (N = 22,984). Pooled analysis revealed an overall disability prevalence of 18.45%, with 42.35% lifetime IPV (physical, sexual and/or emotional), and 31.43% past-year IPV. Women with disabilities reported higher levels of past-year and lifetime IPV compared to those without disabilities (AOR 1.18; 95% CI 1.07, 1.30; AOR 1.31; 95% CI 1.19, 1.44, respectively). Women and girls with disabilities may be disproportionately impacted by IPV in fragile settings. More global attention is needed to address IPV and disability in these settings.

Keywords

• disability
• intimate partner violence
• humanitarian crisis
• fragile state