1 the influence of gender on the disability creation process : catherine dixon

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The influence of gender on The Disability The influence of gender on The Disability Creation Process : Creation Process :

Cat

heri n

e D

ixon

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SOCIAL PARTICIPATIONAccording to roles and tasks given to men and women within the community

Environmental factors

Interaction

Personal factors

Human development model

Intrinsic

Including sexe and gender

Extrinsic

Including gender

(RIPPH, 1996)

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Environmental factors

Life habits

Interaction

Disability Creation Process (RIPPH, 1996)

Social participation Disabling situation

Personal factors

Organic systems

Integrity org. impairment

Aptitudes

capacity funct. impairment Facilitator Obstacle

Risk factors

Cause

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Risk factors

Cause« A risk factor is an element belonging to an individual or resulting from the environment that is liable to cause a disease, a trauma or any other form of deterioration in a person’s integrity or development. »Risks factors are sometimes different for men and women.

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How Sexe and Gender influence How Sexe and Gender influence Risk factorsRisk factors

1 – Biological risks : sex Eg. disability caused by pregnancy and delivery (18

millions women/year)

2 – Risks related to the physical environment: repartition of tasks within the

society (gender) Eg. Mine affected area around water point

3 – Risks related to social organisation : cultural and social practices

(gender) Eg :Female genital mutilation, professional risk, domestic

accident

4 – Risks related to individual and social behaviour: How individual behave

according to what is expected by society. Eg: road accident

The main categories:

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Facteur de risque

Cause

« A personal factor is a characteristic belonging to a person, such as age, sex, socio-cultural identity (including gender), organic systems, aptitudes, etc. »

Personal factors

Organic systems Aptitudes

Capacity funct.impairmentIntegrity org.impairment

Risk factor

Cause

« An organic system is a group of body components with a shared function. »

«An impairment corresponds to the degree of anatomical, histological (structure) or physiological (functioning) deterioration to an organic system. »

« An aptitude is the possibility for a

person to accomplish a

physical or mental activity. »

Some aptitudes are also attributed by

sex:-giving birth for a women (aptitude

related to reproduction)

-be strong for a man (aptitude related to

resistance and protection)

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Environmental factors

Facilitator Obstacle

« An environmental factor is a social or physical dimension that determines the organisation and the context of a society. » Gender is an environmental factor that conditions roles and responsibilities of men and women« A facilitator is an environmental factor that promotes the realisation of life habits. »

« An obstacle is an environmental factor that reduces the realisation of life habits

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Environmental factors

Facilitator Obstacle

• Some beliefs and cultural perceptions can render women with disabilities ineligible to marriage and motherhood.

Stereotypes on gender and disability and some cultural practices (eg. dowry) represent environmental obstacles

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Environmental factors

Facilitator Obstacle

In some cultural contexts the presence of female health workers facilitate the attendance of rehabilitation centers by women

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Environmental factors

Facilitator Obstacle

Sexual harassment and gender based violence in school environment hamper disabled girls’ access to school

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Equal rights !

An efficient law to facilitate insertion of people with disability and which promote gender equality will have a significant impact on how women and men experience their disability.

Environmental factors

Facilitator Obstacle

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Environmental factors

Facilitator Obstacle

Family can be a major facilitator

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Environmental factors

Facilitator Obstacle

Family environment is a major factor (overprotection, control, support…) The knowledge of the allocation of tasks, powers and responsibilities within the household between men and women is essential

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Life habits

Social participation Disabling situation

« A life habit is an everyday activity

or a social role which relates to and is valued by the person or his/her socio-cultural context according to his/her characteristics (age, sex, identity, etc.). It ensures a person’s survival and well-being »Gender conditions women and men’s life habits. Gender keep them in specific roles and tasks (reproductive role, productive role, community role etc..)

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Examples differ with the cultural contexts

Social participation Disabling situation

A situation of social participation corresponds to the full realisation of life habits. Some of those habits are conditioned by gender

Women:

Looking after children

Domestic tasks

Field labour

Supplying in basic goods

dancing

Men:

Working

Protecting his family

Cattle raising

Attending school

Exercing sport

Life habits

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QuestionsQuestions