Abstract
Background:
While it is widely assumed that disability, poverty and health are closely linked,
research falls short of fully understanding the link. One approach to analysing the links
between disability and poverty is through the concept of structural violence, referring to social
structures that contribute to the impoverishment of individuals or communities. These
structures can be political, ecological, legal and economic, among others.
Objective:
To explore structural violence and how it affects families of children with cerebral
palsy among the Tonga ethnic group living in poor rural communities of Binga in Zimbabwe.
Method:
This is a longitudinal, qualitative and ethnographic study. Data were collected over a
period of eight years from 2005 to 2013. Data collection techniques were in-depth interviews,
participant observation and focus group discussions. Purposive sampling was used to recruit
53 informants.
Results:
Structural violence was noted through four themes: internal displacement and
development, food and politics, water and sanitation, and social services. Poverty was noted
in the form of unemployment, lack of education, healthcare, food and shelter. The concept of
structural violence inflicted social suffering on the informants. Politics played a major role in
activities such as food withdrawal, lack of water, development and allocation of local resources
to ‘the people of the city’, leaving the informants struggling with care.
Conclusion:
Political and economic forces have structured risks and created a situation of
extreme human suffering. The capabilities approach brings out the challenges associated with
cerebral palsy in the context of development challenges.
While it is widely assumed that disability, poverty and health are closely linked,
research falls short of fully understanding the link. One approach to analysing the links
between disability and poverty is through the concept of structural violence, referring to social
structures that contribute to the impoverishment of individuals or communities. These
structures can be political, ecological, legal and economic, among others.
Objective:
To explore structural violence and how it affects families of children with cerebral
palsy among the Tonga ethnic group living in poor rural communities of Binga in Zimbabwe.
Method:
This is a longitudinal, qualitative and ethnographic study. Data were collected over a
period of eight years from 2005 to 2013. Data collection techniques were in-depth interviews,
participant observation and focus group discussions. Purposive sampling was used to recruit
53 informants.
Results:
Structural violence was noted through four themes: internal displacement and
development, food and politics, water and sanitation, and social services. Poverty was noted
in the form of unemployment, lack of education, healthcare, food and shelter. The concept of
structural violence inflicted social suffering on the informants. Politics played a major role in
activities such as food withdrawal, lack of water, development and allocation of local resources
to ‘the people of the city’, leaving the informants struggling with care.
Conclusion:
Political and economic forces have structured risks and created a situation of
extreme human suffering. The capabilities approach brings out the challenges associated with
cerebral palsy in the context of development challenges.
