Different kinds of abuse 291
Emotional abuse makes a woman weak
Emotional abuse makes it hard for a disabled woman to stay strong. A woman who
is abandoned may feel as if she has lost her place and her role in society. It can be
easy for her to feel sad and weak.
If a woman is always insulted or called names, she will start to feel stupid or sad.
And if someone makes fun of her in front of her friends or neighbors, she may feel
ashamed and be less likely to go out. After a while, the woman herself will believe
she is not able to do anything worthwhile. A woman who is emotionally abused
often suffers from mental health problems or depression. For more information,
see Chapter 3 on Mental health.
You are so much trouble, Bahvna.
I don’t know how I’m going to be
able to take care of you and the
new baby.
But I could sing songs to the
baby and comfort him while
you prepare the food. You
should give me something I
CAN do, rather than treating
me like a child.
A Health Handbook for Women with Disabilities 2007