Shame - Sayed Jawed Q.
Description:
In many low- and middle-income countries, like Afghanistan, people with disabilities face significant barriers to sexual rights and justice. Cultural stigmas often prevent them from expressing desires for love or marriage disabled individual are frequently dismissed, insulted, or told they are unworthy of relationships. Unlike in high income counties, where they may be access to sexual healthy tools or services, these options are rare or non-existent in lower income regions. This lack of support deepens feeling of isolation, making it harder for disabled individuals to seek and fulfil their basic emotional and sexual needs. Achieving equality in sexual rights requires societal shifts and accessible resources for all, regardless of location or ability.
Significance:
I chose this artifact because it shows the serious issues that people with disabilities face regarding love and sexual rights, especially in poorer countries. In places like Afghanistan, people with disabilities often feel ashamed or scared to express their feelings or ask for love. Many are told they are not good enough to marry or have a relationship because of their disabilities, which can be very hurtful.
This artifact helps highlight the emotional struggles these individuals face when they want to connect with others. In low- and middle-income countries, there are few resources or support for people with disabilities, making it hard for them to explore their sexual needs. On the other hand, wealthier countries might offer more help and understanding, even though there are still problems.
By choosing this artifact, i want to raise awareness about how different cultures and economic situations affect the sexual rights of disabled individuals. It is important to discuss these issues to promote equality and respect for everyone, regardless of their abilities. This is why I find this artifact important for my project.
Positionality:
I am interested in disability and sexuality because it is an important topic that is often not talked about. Many people with disabilities want to have loving relationships and express their sexual needs, just like everyone else. However, they often face many challenges and obstacles.
In many countries, people with disabilities are not given the same rights when it comes to love and sex. For example, in some cultures, they may feel shy or ashamed to ask for love or marriage because they worry about what others will think. They might be told they are not good enough, which can hurt their feelings.
I believe everyone deserves to be treated with respect and have the chance to love and be loved. It is important to talk about these issues to help change attitudes and create a more inclusive society. By learning more about disability and sex, we can help break down barriers and support those who want to have healthy relationships.
I want to raise awareness about this topic so that people understand that love and intimacy are for everyone, no matter their abilities. We need to promote understanding and acceptance for people with disabilities in all areas of life, including love and relationships.
Impact:
This subject has impacted me by opening my eyes to the challenges that people with disabilities face when it comes to love and relationships. I never realized how difficult it can be for them to find love or even talk about their feelings. Many people think that those with disabilities do not have the same needs or desires, but that is not true.
I have learned that in many cultures, people with disabilities feel shy or ashamed to express their feelings. They worry about being judged or treated poorly, which can make them feel lonely. This realization has made me want to advocate for their rights. I believe that everyone should have the opportunity to love and be loved, no matter their abilities.
The gem I am thinking about is the importance of understanding and compassion. When we learn more about the experiences of people with disabilities, we can create a kinder and more inclusive society. It is essential to support them in their search for love and happiness. By spreading awareness, we can help change how people view disabilities and encourage acceptance and respect for everyone. This topic motivates me to help make the world a better place for all.
Wish List:
I hope my artifact inspires viewers to take the following action: to learn more about the rights of people with disabilities, especially regarding love and relationships. Many people do not realize that individuals with disabilities have the same feelings and desires as everyone else. By understanding their experiences, we can help create a world where everyone feels accepted and loved.
I encourage viewers to consider how they can support people with disabilities in their communities. This could be as simple as listening to their stories, offering friendship, or standing up for their rights when we talk about disability and relationships, it helps break down barriers and reduces feelings of shame or isolation.
It is also important to think about how our society can provide better resources and opportunities for people with disabilities to find love and build relationships. This can include more inclusive dating platforms, social events, and education about relationships. By working together, we can make a difference and help everyone feel valued. In short, I hope my artifact inspires people to be more aware, compassionate, and supportive of those with disabilities so that everyone can experience love and connection in their lives.
Scholarship:
1. Shakespeare, T., Gillespie-Sells, K., & Davies, D. (1996). Sex and relationships. In T. Shakespeare (Ed.), The sexual politics of disability: Untold desires (pp. 87–115). Cassell.
This reference is highly relevant to my topic. The discussion of sexual politics, relationships, and the marginalization of disabled individuals' sexual rights in the sexual politics of disability aligns closely with my focus on barriers to sexual justice for people with disabilities, particularly in low- and middle-income countries. It provides a strong theoretical framework for understanding how cultural and societal barriers impact the sexual autonomy of disabled people, which is central to my topic.
2. Shuttleworth, R., & Mona, L. (2021). Disability rights through reproductive justice: Eugenic legacies in the abortion wars. In R. Shuttleworth & L. Mona (Eds.), The Routledge handbook of disability and sexuality (Chap. 8). Routledge, Taylor & Francis Group.
My choice of this artifact is well-justified, as it effectively addresses the key issues I want to explore in my project. It provides both a theoretical framework and concrete examples of the challenges faced by people with disabilities regarding love and sexual rights, particularly in low- and middle-income countries. This reference will be valuable in highlighting the importance of addressing these disparities and advocating for equality and respect for individuals with disabilities.
3. Shuttleworth, R., & Mona, L. (2021). Paid sexual services available for people with disability: Exploring the range of modalities offered throughout the world. In R. Shuttleworth & L. Mona (Eds.), The Routledge handbook of disability and sexuality (Chap. 30). Routledge, Taylor & Francis Group.
My choice of this artifact is well-justified and aligns strongly with my interest in disability and sexuality. It provides an important look at the barriers people with disabilities face in expressing their sexual needs, which is key to promoting understanding, acceptance, and inclusivity in society. This reference will help me advocate for the rights of individuals with disabilities to seek love, intimacy, and fulfilling relationships.
4. Coleman, E., Corona-Vargas, E., & Ford, J. V. (2021). Advancing sexual pleasure as a fundamental human right and essential for sexual health, overall health and well-being: An introduction to the special issue on sexual pleasure. International Journal of Sexual Health, 33(4), 473–477
This reference is well-matched to my reflections on the subject. It provides a critical examination of the barriers people with disabilities face regarding love and relationships, while also supporting my goals of raising awareness, advocating for rights, and promoting understanding and compassion. This alignment enhances my ability to foster a more inclusive environment for individuals with disabilities in their pursuit of love and emotional fulfillment.
3 Comments
Your exploration of the challenges faced by individuals with disabilities in expressing their sexual rights is both compelling and important. I found your insights on cultural stigmas particularly impactful, as they illuminate the emotional struggles many endure when seeking love. This artifact really deepens my understanding of how societal attitudes can create barriers. It’s crucial that we raise awareness about these issues to foster a more inclusive environment for everyone. Thank you for shedding light on such an essential topic!
Sayed Jawed, your artifact powerfully highlights the often-overlooked challenges regarding sexual rights and relationships that people with disabilities face in low—and middle-income countries. I really appreciate your compassionate approach and desire to raise awareness. This is very important work to promote understanding and equality toward all people, irrespective of their different abilities and locations.
Sayed, I love your focus on economic positions when it comes to both sexuality and disability. It’s really easy to identify intersections between sex and many other positions, but I can’t say that any other work really emphasised global class structures like yours did. You offer such a clearly invested perspective, and it’s not one I considered. I think of intersections between sexual identity, sexuality, gender and race and culture, but I don’t think I’ve thought of sex within a frame of race, economic nationalism mics and culture beyond a very western perspective. I remember watching Bulgaria’s Lost Children and being smacked in the face by how disability is viewed beyond my poverty western and white purview, but sexuality hadn’t even occurred to me in that scope. Thanks, authentically, for kicking me in the arse and reminding me that as “progressive” as I think I am, intersectionally I’ve got very big blind spots. I’m blown away by the absolute insight you have for an area we all might miss. Cheers man, great work.