Warrior mothers: lived experiences of Bangladeshi mothers of children with physical disability

Article

Malek, Farjina, King, Julie and Edwards, Niki. 2025. "Warrior mothers: lived experiences of Bangladeshi mothers of children with physical disability." Disability and Society. https://doi.org/10.1080/09687599.2025.2564959
Article Title

Warrior mothers: lived experiences of Bangladeshi mothers of children with physical disability

ERA Journal ID35345
Article CategoryArticle
AuthorsMalek, Farjina, King, Julie and Edwards, Niki
Journal TitleDisability and Society
Number of Pages22
Year2025
PublisherTaylor & Francis
Place of PublicationUnited Kingdom
ISSN0968-7599
1360-0508
Digital Object Identifier (DOI)https://doi.org/10.1080/09687599.2025.2564959
Web Address (URL)https://www.tandfonline.com/doi/full/10.1080/09687599.2025.2564959
Abstract

Through the eyes of 28 mothers, this article reports on research that explored the strengths and challenges of caring for children with physical disabilities in Bangladesh. An interpretive phenomenological approach was adopted. The study revealed that while mothers bore the brunt of domestic and caring work, their symbiotic relationship with their children brought joy and ultimately resilience. The intersection of multiple oppressed identities linked to gender, motherhood, disability, poverty, cultural beliefs, and religion powerfully combined; while mothers struggled, did cope and manage. Rather than remaining fragile without voice, agency or hope, mothers were driven by a deep love for their children, and they emerged as ‘warriors’. They not only survived society’s harsh challenges but became inventive, creative disability advocates for their children.

KeywordsMothers; Children with disability; Intersectionality; Strengths; Stigma; Bangladesh
Contains Sensitive ContentDoes not contain sensitive content
ANZSRC Field of Research 2020440999. Social work not elsewhere classified
Byline AffiliationsNational Disability Insurance Agency (NDIS), Australia
University of Southern Queensland
School of Psychology and Wellbeing
Permalink -

https://research.usq.edu.au/item/100wxy/warrior-mothers-lived-experiences-of-bangladeshi-mothers-of-children-with-physical-disability

Log in to edit

Download files

Published Version
Warrior mothers.pdf
License: CC BY-NC-ND 4.0
File access level: Anyone

  • 20
    total views
  • 5
    total downloads
  • 0
    views this month
  • 1
    downloads this month

Export as

Related outputs

"Marry a normal woman": Vietnamese women with physical disabilities’ experiences of marriage opposition
Nguyen, Thi Vinh, King, Julie and Edwards, Niki. 2025. ""Marry a normal woman": Vietnamese women with physical disabilities’ experiences of marriage opposition." Journal of Social and Personal Relationships. https://doi.org/10.1177/02654075251392641
"Double Wahala for dead body …" – perspectives of service providers about adherence to antiretroviral therapy among persons with disabilities living with HIV in Nigeria
Philip, Aaron Akpu, King, Julie, Durham, Joanne and Mullens, Amy. 2025. ""Double Wahala for dead body …" – perspectives of service providers about adherence to antiretroviral therapy among persons with disabilities living with HIV in Nigeria." Disability and Rehabilitation. https://doi.org/10.1080/09638288.2025.2597131
The personal safety burden for women taking public transport in Australia and implications for provision of equitable public transport
King, Julie A., Greer, Dominique A., Danvers, Rae S.M. and Keating, Byron W.. 2025. "The personal safety burden for women taking public transport in Australia and implications for provision of equitable public transport." Journal of Public Transportation. 27. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.jpubtr.2025.100118
Women’s Empowerment Through Access to Safe Transport: The Impact of Sexual and Nonsexual Victimization on Female Commuters in Bangladesh and Cambodia
King, Julie, King, Mark, Oviedo-Trespalacios, Oscar, Watling, Hanna, Carroll, Julie-Anne, Bull, Melissa, Grant-Smith, Deanna, Anam, Mujibul, Pen, Sakony and Davidson, Danielle. 2025. "Women’s Empowerment Through Access to Safe Transport: The Impact of Sexual and Nonsexual Victimization on Female Commuters in Bangladesh and Cambodia." Violence Against Women: an international and interdisciplinary journal. 31 (1), pp. 308-327. https://doi.org/10.1177/10778012231214770
Mental Health Policy in Brazil and Australia: Challenges for a Dignified and Effective Approach to Individuals with Mental Disorders
Nunes, Barbara Domingues, Bellini, Maria Isabel Barros, Edwards, Niki, King, Julie and Darracott, Ros. 2025. "Mental Health Policy in Brazil and Australia: Challenges for a Dignified and Effective Approach to Individuals with Mental Disorders." Bellini, Maria Isabel Barros and Arena, Fernanda Xavier (ed.) Work, Health and Intersectoriality: the production of scientific knowledge as a challenge and resistance. Brazil. Alexa Cultural. pp. 169-187
Promoting disability justice to reduce climate-induced disaster injustices
King, Julie and Grant-Smith, Deanna. 2024. "Promoting disability justice to reduce climate-induced disaster injustices." QUT Centre for Justice Briefing Papers. (65). https://doi.org/10.5204/book.eprints.252949
Australian Psychiatrists and Trainee Psychiatrists’ Perceptions of Chemical Restraint of Adults with Intellectual Disability
Edwards, Nicole, Franklin, Catherine, King, Julie and Watling, Hanna. 2024. "Australian Psychiatrists and Trainee Psychiatrists’ Perceptions of Chemical Restraint of Adults with Intellectual Disability." Journal of Mental Health Research in Intellectual Disabilities. 17 (1), pp. 65-77. https://doi.org/10.1080/19315864.2023.2192689
Exploring therapeutic alliance in spinal cord injury rehabilitation: Control, identity, and liminality
Lovric, Esha, Edwards, Niki and King, Julie. 2024. "Exploring therapeutic alliance in spinal cord injury rehabilitation: Control, identity, and liminality." Physiotherapy Theory and Practice: an international journal of physical therapy. https://doi.org/10.1080/09593985.2024.2443028
What did COVID-19 do to tertiary students' morale, engagement, and academic success? Navigating a 'new normal' in post-pandemic Australian public health students at QUT, Australia
Carroll, J., Whitehead-Broad, A., Baker, P. and King, J.. 2023. "What did COVID-19 do to tertiary students' morale, engagement, and academic success? Navigating a 'new normal' in post-pandemic Australian public health students at QUT, Australia." 54th Asia Pacific Academic Consortium for Public Health (APACPH) Conference 2023 . Kuching, Sarawak, Malaysia 30 Oct - 01 Nov 2023
Social Work Practice and People Living with Disability
Edwards, Niki and King, Julie. 2023. "Social Work Practice and People Living with Disability." Petrakis, Melissa (ed.) Social Work Practice in Health: An introduction to contexts, theories and skills. Abingdon. Routledge. pp. 118-131
Neoliberal Capitalism and its Impact on Individual and Community Health: Implications for Critical Social Workers
Edwards, Niki and King, Julie. 2023. "Neoliberal Capitalism and its Impact on Individual and Community Health: Implications for Critical Social Workers." Petrakis, Melissa (ed.) Social Work Practice in Health: An introduction to contexts, theories and skills. United Kingdom. Routledge. pp. 25-36
Health Social Work in Regional, Rural and Remote Settings: Responding to the Intersection of Location, Disadvantaged Populations and Communities
Darracott, Ros, Edwards, Niki and King, Julie. 2023. "Health Social Work in Regional, Rural and Remote Settings: Responding to the Intersection of Location, Disadvantaged Populations and Communities." Petrakis, Melissa (ed.) Social Work Practice in Health: An introduction to contexts, theories and skills. United Kingdom. Routledge. pp. 188-201
Teaching global competence, creating global citizens: Critical citizenship education in higher education
Grant-Smith, Deanna, Weiler, Tanya, King, Julie, Nykvist, Shaun and McAuliffe, Marisha. 2023. "Teaching global competence, creating global citizens: Critical citizenship education in higher education." Al-Obaidi, Jabbar, Boivin, Jacquelynne and Rao, Madhusudana N. (ed.) The Role of Educators as Agents and Conveyors for Positive Change in Global Education . IGI Global. pp. 25-60
Lived experiences of persons with disabilities living with HIV in accessing HIV services in Africa: a qualitative systematic review
Philip, Aaron Akpu, King, Julie and Durham, Joanne. 2023. "Lived experiences of persons with disabilities living with HIV in accessing HIV services in Africa: a qualitative systematic review." Disability and Rehabilitation. 45 (6), pp. 937-949. https://doi.org/10.1080/09638288.2022.2051079
Hosting Australian Social Work Students on Exchange: The Search for Equity and Mutual Benefit Between the Global South and North
King, Julie, Miles, Deb, Jones, Peter, Gopalkrishnan, Narayan and Watling, Hanna. 2023. "Hosting Australian Social Work Students on Exchange: The Search for Equity and Mutual Benefit Between the Global South and North." Australian Social Work. 76 (4), pp. 493-506. https://doi.org/10.1080/0312407X.2021.1947334
Barriers Faced by Australian and New Zealand Women When Sharing Experiences of Family Violence with Primary Healthcare Providers: A Scoping Review
Rathnayake, Jayamini Chathurika, Pozian, Nadirah Mat, Carroll, Julie-Anne and King, Julie. 2023. "Barriers Faced by Australian and New Zealand Women When Sharing Experiences of Family Violence with Primary Healthcare Providers: A Scoping Review." Healthcare. 11 (18). https://doi.org/10.3390/healthcare11182486
Maternal healthcare for women with physical disabilities in Northern Vietnam: perspectives of healthcare providers.
Nguyen, Thi Vinh, Edwards, Niki and King, Julie. 2023. "Maternal healthcare for women with physical disabilities in Northern Vietnam: perspectives of healthcare providers." Disability and Health Journal. 16 (2). https://doi.org/10.1016/j.dhjo.2023.101439
‘There is power in the cry of a woman’: the approach of African women with disabilities to leadership
King, Julie, Edwards, Nicole and Watling, Hanna. 2023. "‘There is power in the cry of a woman’: the approach of African women with disabilities to leadership." Journal of Gender Studies. 32 (7), pp. 719-730. https://doi.org/10.1080/09589236.2022.2085676
How to be Yourself: Student Perspectives on Learning Use of Self
Newcomb, Michelle, Burton, Judith and Edwards, Niki. 2022. "How to be Yourself: Student Perspectives on Learning Use of Self." Clinical Social Work Journal. 50, pp. 337-346. https://doi.org/10.1007/s10615-020-00766-9
Leadership for change: pathways to activism for African women with disability
King, Julie, Edwards, Nicole and Watling, Hanna. 2023. "Leadership for change: pathways to activism for African women with disability." Disability and Society. 38 (7), pp. 1164-1185. https://doi.org/10.1080/09687599.2021.1994373
Jane
Edwards, Niki. 2008. "Jane." Advances in Mental Health and Learning Disabilities. 2 (2), pp. 49-54. https://doi.org/10.1108/17530180200800018
Disadvantage and disability: Experiences of people from refugee backgrounds with disability living in Australia
King, Julie, Edwards, Niki, Correa-Velez, Ignacio, Hair, Sara and Fordyce, Maureen. 2016. "Disadvantage and disability: Experiences of people from refugee backgrounds with disability living in Australia." Disability and the Global South (DGS). 3 (1), pp. 843-864.
Restrictive practices on refugees in Australia with intellectual disability and challenging behaviours: a family’s story
King, Julie, Edwards, Niki, Correa-Velez, Ignacio, Darracott, Rosalyn and Fordyce, Maureen. 2016. "Restrictive practices on refugees in Australia with intellectual disability and challenging behaviours: a family’s story." Advances in Mental Health and Intellectual Disabilities. 10 (4), pp. 222-232. https://doi.org/10.1108/AMHID-02-2016-0004
Service user or service provider? How social work and human services students integrate dual identities
Newcomb, Michelle, Burton, Judith and Edwards, Niki. 2017. "Service user or service provider? How social work and human services students integrate dual identities." Social Work Education. 36 (6), pp. 678-689. https://doi.org/10.1080/02615479.2017.1327574
Childhood Adversity and Self-Care Education for Undergraduate Social Work and Human Services Students
Newcomb, Michelle, Burton, Judith and Edwards, Niki. 2017. "Childhood Adversity and Self-Care Education for Undergraduate Social Work and Human Services Students." Journal of Teaching in Social Work. 37 (4), pp. 337-352. https://doi.org/10.1080/08841233.2017.1345821
Qualitative exploration of psychotropic medication to manage challenging behaviour in adults with intellectual disability: views of family members
Edwards, Nicole, King, Julie, Watling, Hanna and Hair, Sara. 2017. "Qualitative exploration of psychotropic medication to manage challenging behaviour in adults with intellectual disability: views of family members." Advances in Mental Health and Intellectual Disabilities. 11 (5 - 6), pp. 207-218. https://doi.org/10.1108/AMHID-06-2017-0027
Pretending to be authentic: challenges for students when reflective writing about their childhood for assessment
Newcomb, Michelle, Burton, Judith and Edwards, Niki. 2018. "Pretending to be authentic: challenges for students when reflective writing about their childhood for assessment." Reflective Practice. 19 (3), pp. 333-344. https://doi.org/10.1080/14623943.2018.1479684
Addressing transport safety and accessibility for people with a disability in developing countries: a formative evaluation of the Journey Access Tool in Cambodia
King, Julie A., King, Mark J., Edwards, Niki, Hair, Sara A., Cheang, Sarim, Pearson, Anita and Coelho, Sophie. 2018. "Addressing transport safety and accessibility for people with a disability in developing countries: a formative evaluation of the Journey Access Tool in Cambodia." Global Health Action. 11 (1), pp. 1-11. https://doi.org/10.1080/16549716.2018.1538658
Human-trafficking prevention is not 'sexy': Impact of the rescue industry on Thailand NGO programs and the need for a human rights approach
Jones, Stephanie, King, Julie and Edwards, Niki. 2018. "Human-trafficking prevention is not 'sexy': Impact of the rescue industry on Thailand NGO programs and the need for a human rights approach." Journal of Human Trafficking. 4 (3), pp. 231-255. https://doi.org/10.1080/23322705.2017.1355161
Media participation by people with disability and the relevance of Australian community broadcasting in the digital era
Stewart, Kim, Spurgeon, Christina and Edwards, Niki. 2019. "Media participation by people with disability and the relevance of Australian community broadcasting in the digital era." 3CMedia. 9, pp. 44-63.
Maternal Healthcare Experiences of and Challenges for Women with Physical Disabilities in Low and Middle‑Income Countries: A Review of Qualitative Evidence
Nguyen, Thi Vinh, King, Julie, Edwards, Niki, Pham, Cong Tuan and Dunne, Michael. 2019. "Maternal Healthcare Experiences of and Challenges for Women with Physical Disabilities in Low and Middle‑Income Countries: A Review of Qualitative Evidence." Sexuality and Disability: a journal devoted to the psychological and medical aspects of sexuality in rehabilitation and community settings. 37 (2), pp. 175-201. https://doi.org/10.1007/s11195-019-09564-9
Older transgender women in Thailand: views of service providers
Hair, Sara Amy, King, Julie, Edwards, Niki and Hayes, Sharon. 2019. "Older transgender women in Thailand: views of service providers." Journal of Gay and Lesbian Social Services: issues in practice, policy and research. 31 (1), pp. 65-88. https://doi.org/10.1080/10538720.2019.1548328
Barriers to disability-inclusive disaster management in the Solomon Islands: Perspectives of people with disability
King, Julie, Edwards, Nicole, Watling, Hanna and Hair, Sara. 2019. "Barriers to disability-inclusive disaster management in the Solomon Islands: Perspectives of people with disability." International Journal of Disaster Risk Reduction. 34, pp. 459-466. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.ijdrr.2018.12.017
Student Constructions of Resilience: Understanding the Role of Childhood Adversity
Newcomb, Michelle, Burton, Judith and Edwards, Niki. 2019. "Student Constructions of Resilience: Understanding the Role of Childhood Adversity." Australian Social Work. 72 (2), pp. 166-178. https://doi.org/10.1080/0312407X.2018.1550521
Articulation of a Best Practice Model of Guardianship Advocacy Services: For Older People and People with Cognitive Disability at Risk of Abuse or Neglect
Edwards, Niki, King, Julie, Hair, Sara and Walton, Kate. 2019. Articulation of a Best Practice Model of Guardianship Advocacy Services: For Older People and People with Cognitive Disability at Risk of Abuse or Neglect. Brisbane, Australia. Queensland University of Technology.
Teaching disability using problem-based learning in the international context: utility for social work
Edwards, Nicole, King, Julie, Pfeffer, Sabine, Lovric, Esha and Watling, Hanna. 2023. "Teaching disability using problem-based learning in the international context: utility for social work." European Journal of Social Work: the forum for the social work professional. 26 (1), pp. 3-15. https://doi.org/10.1080/13691457.2021.1954890
'Under great anxiety': Pregnancy experiences of Vietnamese women with physical disabilities seen through an intersectional lens
Nguyen, Thi Vinh, King, Julie, Edwards, Niki and Dunne, Michael P.. 2021. "'Under great anxiety': Pregnancy experiences of Vietnamese women with physical disabilities seen through an intersectional lens." Social Science and Medicine. 284, pp. 1-9. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.socscimed.2021.114231
Whose decision? Caesarean section and women with physical disabilities in Northern Vietnam: A qualitative study
Nguyen, Thi Vinh, King, Julie, Edwards, Niki and Dunne, Michael P.. 2022. "Whose decision? Caesarean section and women with physical disabilities in Northern Vietnam: A qualitative study." Midwifery. 104, pp. 1-6. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.midw.2021.103175
'Nothing suitable for us': experiences of women with physical disabilities in accessing maternal healthcare services in Northern Vietnam
Nguyen, Thi Vinh, King, Julie, Edwards, Niki and Dunne, Michael P.. 2022. "'Nothing suitable for us': experiences of women with physical disabilities in accessing maternal healthcare services in Northern Vietnam." Disability and Rehabilitation. 44 (4), pp. 573-581. https://doi.org/10.1080/09638288.2020.1773548
Exploring Women’s Experiences of Gender-Based Violence and Other Threats to Safety on Public Transport in Bangladesh
King, Julie, King, Mark, Edwards, Nicole, Carroll, Julie-Anne, Watling, Hanna, Anam, Mujibul, Bull, Melissa and Oviedo-Trespalacios, Oscar. 2021. "Exploring Women’s Experiences of Gender-Based Violence and Other Threats to Safety on Public Transport in Bangladesh." International Journal For Crime, Justice and Social Democracy. 10 (4), pp. 158-173. https://doi.org/10.5204/ijcjsd.2086
Chemical restraint of adults with intellectual disability and challenging behaviour in Queensland, Australia: Views of statutory decision makers
Edwards, Niki, King, Julie, Williams, Karen and Hair, Sara. 2020. "Chemical restraint of adults with intellectual disability and challenging behaviour in Queensland, Australia: Views of statutory decision makers." Journal of Intellectual Disabilities. 24 (2), pp. 194-211. https://doi.org/10.1177/1744629518782064
Accelerating Detection and Action in Family Violence Cases: Reflections on Clinical Responses
Carroll, J., Rathnayake, J.C., Pozian, N.M. and King, J.. 2022. "Accelerating Detection and Action in Family Violence Cases: Reflections on Clinical Responses." Preventive Health Conference 2022. Brisbane, Australia 11 - 13 May 2022
Barbaric, Feral, or Moral? Stereotypical Dairy Farmer and Vegan Discourses on the Business of Animal Consumption
Taylor, Nik, Fraser, Heather, Stekelenburg, Naomi and King, Julie. 2022. "Barbaric, Feral, or Moral? Stereotypical Dairy Farmer and Vegan Discourses on the Business of Animal Consumption." Tallberg, Linda and Hamilton, Lindsay (ed.) The Oxford Handbook of Animal Organization Studies. United Kingdom. Oxford University Press. pp. 282-287
Pedagogy and power through a Foucauldian lens
King, Julie. 2020. "Pedagogy and power through a Foucauldian lens." Morley, Christine, Ablett, Phillip, Noble, Carolyn and Cowden, Stephen (ed.) The Routledge Handbook of Critical Pedagogies for Social Work. United Kingdom. Routledge. pp. 143-152
Australian educational technologies trends 2018
Zagami, Jason, Redmond, Petrea, Joy, Travis, Flintoff, Kim, Speranza, Anthony, Shires, Rachael, Harris, Neil, Sleeman, Tracy, Canning, Celia, Vernon, Kim, Sercombe, Peter, Madsen, Steve, Finch, Robyn, Jones, Michael, Hogan, Amanda, Urban, Sue, Moreton, Bronwyn, Harrison, Yvonne, Hunt, Cathy, ..., Campbell, Chris. 2018. Australian educational technologies trends 2018. Brisbane, Australia. Australian Council for Computers in Education.
Supporting People With an Intellectual Disability and Mental Health Problems: A Scoping Review of What They Say About Service Provision
Venville, Annie, Sawyer, Anne-Maree, Long, Maureen, Edwards, Niki and Hair, Sara. 2015. "Supporting People With an Intellectual Disability and Mental Health Problems: A Scoping Review of What They Say About Service Provision." Journal of Mental Health Research in Intellectual Disabilities. 8 (3 - 4), pp. 186-212. https://doi.org/10.1080/19315864.2015.1069912
How Jung’s Concept of the Wounded Healer Can Guide Learning and Teaching in Social Work and Human Services
Newcomb, Michelle, Burton, Judith, Edwards, Niki and Hazelwood, Zoe. 2015. "How Jung’s Concept of the Wounded Healer Can Guide Learning and Teaching in Social Work and Human Services." Advances in Social Work and Welfare Education. 17 (2), pp. 55-69. https://doi.org/10.3316/INFORMIT.609973077524166
A multi-level ecological model of psychotropic prescribing to adults with intellectual disability
Edwards, Niki, Bain, Chris, Mutch, Allyson, Dean, Julie and Lennox, Nicholas. 2014. "A multi-level ecological model of psychotropic prescribing to adults with intellectual disability." Advances in Mental Health and Intellectual Disabilities. 8 (1), pp. 24-31. https://doi.org/10.1108/AMHID-01-2013-0001
Psychotropics and challenging behaviour in people with intellectual disability
Edwards, Niki S., Alexander, William and Mutch, Allyson. 2014. "Psychotropics and challenging behaviour in people with intellectual disability." Medical Journal of Australia. 200 (8), pp. 456-456. https://doi.org/10.5694/mja13.11258
Specialist Versus Generic Models of Psychiatry Training and Service Provision for People with Intellectual Disabilities
Jess, Gillian, Torr, Jennifer, Cooper, Sally-Ann, Lennox, Nicholas, Edwards, Nicole, Galea, Jennifer and O'Brien, Gregory. 2008. "Specialist Versus Generic Models of Psychiatry Training and Service Provision for People with Intellectual Disabilities." Journal of Applied Research in Intellectual Disabilities. 21 (2), pp. 183-193. https://doi.org/10.1111/j.1468-3148.2007.00394.x
Queensland psychiatrists' attitudes and perceptions of adults with intellectual disability
Edwards, N., Lennox, N. and White, P.. 2007. "Queensland psychiatrists' attitudes and perceptions of adults with intellectual disability." Journal of Intellectual Disability Research. 51 (1), pp. 75-81. https://doi.org/10.1111/j.1365-2788.2006.00870.x
Stress and burnout amongst professional carers of people with intellectual disability: another health inequity
White, Paul, Edwards, Niki and Townsend-White, C.. 2006. "Stress and burnout amongst professional carers of people with intellectual disability: another health inequity." Current Opinion in Psychiatry. 19 (5), pp. 502-507. https://doi.org/10.1097/01.yco.0000238478.04400.e0
Prevalence of Intellectual Disability and Comorbid Mental Illness in an Australian Community Sample
White, Paul, Chant, David, Edwards, Niki, Townsend Claire and Waghorn, G.. 2005. "Prevalence of Intellectual Disability and Comorbid Mental Illness in an Australian Community Sample." Australian and New Zealand Journal of Psychiatry. 39 (5), pp. 395-400. https://doi.org/10.1111/j.1440-1614.2005.01587.x
The health needs of people with intellectual disability
Lennox, Nicholas G., Beange, Helen and Edwards, Niki S.. 2000. "The health needs of people with intellectual disability." Medical Journal of Australia. 173 (6), pp. 328-330. https://doi.org/10.5694/j.1326-5377.2000.tb125668.x