Experiences of Gender-Based Violence Among Disabled Women: A Qualitative Meta-Synthesis

Disabled women experience disproportionately high rates of gender-based violence (GBV), yet their unique experiences remain understudied. This qualitative meta-synthesis examined the lived experiences of disabled women who have encountered GBV. Following a structured review process, 49 qualitative studies met the inclusion criteria, focusing on disabled women's first-hand accounts of GBV. Studies were identified through a comprehensive search of multiple academic databases using predefined search terms and selection criteria. The findings revealed several intersecting challenges that disabled women faced when experiencing and navigating GBV. Systemic neglect and institutional harm were identified as significant barriers, as women encountered structural failures that limited their ability to seek safety, protection, and justice. Many survivors described experiences of revictimization, in which inadequate institutional support and mistreatment by service providers perpetuated ongoing cycles of violence. Dehumanization and oppression were also central to survivors' narratives, with ableism, infantilization, and intersecting forms of marginalization shaping their experiences of violence. Despite these challenges, disabled women demonstrated resilience and resistance by employing various survival strategies and advocating for themselves and others within systems that frequently failed to protect them. These findings underscore the urgent need for intersectional, disability-inclusive GBV policies, improved access to services, and survivor-led approaches to intervention to ensure that disabled women can seek support without fear of further marginalization.