Open Letter

Kolkata: Disability and a Bride too many

Sir,

This is in response to Ranjeet S Jamwal's article, "One groom for two brides" (29 April 2006) published in a leading daily. We are indeed shocked, though not the least surprised, to know that a father has decided to marry off a daughter with physically disabilities to the man his younger daughter is getting married to.

Just was a women with dark complexion finds it difficult to find a groom, so too does a woman with physical disabilities find it impossible to find a man to marry her. As a result she remains a burden to her paternal family.

In the Indian psyche the "male" identity tends to overshadow the limitations causes by one's disability. The position of women, however, differs. The marital status of a girl often determines her position in society and family. A girl's life is perceived to be incomplete in Indian society if she remains a spinster all her life. Motherhood also plays a crucial role to determine her social status.

As both marriage and motherhood are virtually forbidden aspects for a disabled women, they are regarded to be potential burdens who are neither expected to be married not are they usually expected to earn a living for themselves.

Disabled women are not usually expected to be economically independent and contribute towards the family income. Hence the need for education and vocational training are not attributed much importance in case of a girl with disability. The census report of 2001 points out that the literacy rate amongst disabled women is not only far less than non- disabled women, but also that of disabled men.

Women with disabilities rarely have the same options. Their access to even the most traditional female roles is restricted. A survey conducted by me in the urban areas revealed that 74 per cent of the disabled women who were interviewed are not married.

Our disability laws do not even mention the gender factor while referring to rehabilitation and equal opportunities for disabled people in general.

We welcome the fact that the latest draft of the national policy on disabilities has a separate section on women with disabilities. And the emphasis is not just on education and vocational training, but also on the special needs of women who find it difficult to manage children.

Shampa Sengupta,
(Sruti Disability Rights Centre)

Source: Disability and a bride too many. The Statesman, Kolkata, 3 May 2006.