A Kenyan woman has defied all odds and misconceptions associated with women having cerebral palsy when it comes to having and raising children.
As the world is marking International Day of People with Disability on December 3rd, Josephine Mwende shares her experience as a mother with cerebral palsy.
The Nguvu Change Leader Josephine Mwende, a resilient mother gracefully navigating parenthood despite her disability is on a mission to have a more equitable and supportive healthcare system.
Mwende, says that accessing reproductive health care has remained a major challenge in her life.
Born with cerebral palsy, Josephine is committed to working towards an inclusive healthcare system that provides dignified and compassionate care to all, regardless of disability.
She looks forward to a future where everywoman can navigate their reproductive journey with autonomy and respect.
Kenyan Expectant Women Living with Cerebral Palsy
According to Josephine expectant mothers with disabilities are subjected to Obstetric Violence (OBV) in Kenyan hospitals. Thence, her appeal for a more equitable healthcare system.
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Josephine, the mother of a 6-year-old boy, is on a mission to protect expectant mothers whose disability makes them even more vulnerable.
Her online campaign is strongly rooted in her own personal experience of facing OBV in several hospitals when she was about to give birth to her son.
Meanwhile as she narrates her ordeal while giving birth six years ago, she recounts her hustle with finding a hospital that could accommodate her condition.
“As an expectant mother in labor, I was rejected by one hospital after another because of my condition. It was heartbreaking when a doctor stated, ‘we don’t handle such people!’ recounts Josephine.
However, despite her struggle to find the perfect hospital for delivery she finally delivered her baby at Kenyatta National Hospital.
“Despite the misconception that women with cerebral palsy cannot or should not bear children, I not only gave birth to my son but named him, ‘Gift.’ I hope no woman with cerebral palsy ever faces the pain, rejection, and humiliation that I went through,” said Josephine.
Effects of Obstetric Violence to Women with Disabilities
In Kenya, the grave concern of OBV significantly threatens the safety of pregnant women, putting the health and welfare of expectant mothers at risk.
Worth noting, OBV affects people with disabilities disproportionately. Therefore, Josephine is asking for OBV to be regulated, victims to be protected, and allowed to seek justice through legal means.
According to her, this can only happen if the Kenyan Parliament considers discussing a recent proposal for the development of a national policy around OBV.
“Since I started my online campaign, I’ve fearlessly urged for both political and civic support for the rights of people with disabilities. Notably, I’ve been graciously received in the offices of esteemed leaders demonstrating their openness and commitment to the causes of people with disabilities,” Josephine shares.
In Josephine’s online campaign, she has called on the Ministry of Health, Commission of Administrative Justice, and The Office of The Governor of Nairobi County to direct public hospitals in Nairobi County to operationalize a toll-free helpline for people with disabilities.
She believes that the hotline will serve as a crucial lifeline for people with disabilities, offering immediate assistance and guidance in situations where discrimination, neglect, or mistreatment occurs.
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Additionally, she is calling upon the ministry of health to consider putting up special consultation rooms for women with cerebral palsy as well as awareness programs to sensitize caregiving staff.
What is Obstetric Violence
Obstetric violence is a specific type of violation of women’s rights, including the rights to equality, freedom from discrimination, information, integrity, health, and reproductive autonomy.
It occurs both in public and private medical practice during health care related to pregnancy, childbirth, and post-partum and is a multi-factorial context of institutional and gender violence.
According to BMC Women’s Health 2022 an open-access, peer-reviewed study says the frequency of violence is higher among pregnant women who are defenseless, powerless, and disabled.
