Women in Shadows: Women with Disabilities and Covid-19 Pandemic in India

The present article aims to explore the experiences of disabled women during Covid-19 Pandemic and examines the social problem of their susceptibility & alienation in times of disasters in India. The research study uses thematic analysis as a methodological tool to analyze the narratives of disabled women, associated with two non-governmental organizations in Delhi, India and generates themes that express their views and opinions on national lockdown, perils of social distancing, indifferent attitude of civil society, media & government and their common anxieties towards an uncertain future. The findings indicate that the disabled women perceive that they are the victims of stigma and discrimination on an everyday basis in public and private settings, it is just that Covid-19 pandemic and lockdown brings along the practice of social distancing which adds to their existing vulnerabilities, their financial instabilities, lack of psychosocial support from peer and friends and their increasing isolation. Their constant urge to find and identify themselves gives them a new meaning in lockdown times. Conclusively, they do not shy away to exercise their agency to suggest that disabled women lives can become easy if civil society members, media and government will extend planned support to them in disaster times.