Most mothers provided basic physiotherapy, occupational therapy, and speech therapy for their children. Out of 28 mothers, 16 received rehabilitative training from the CRP pediatric unit through a two-week course tailored to their child’s needs. They were trained in tasks like seizure management, using urinary catheters, administering medications, and utilizing assistive devices.

Many Roles of Mothers

While structural inaccessibility is a common issue worldwide, Bangladesh has specific legislative shortcomings that deepen exclusion. Only one piece of legislation, the Rights and Protections of Persons with Disabilities Act, Bangladesh, 2013, protects the rights of people with disabilities, and no legislation states about the informal carers of people with disabilities. Moreover, there was no autonomous department that is responsible for people with disability and their carers in Bangladesh.

University of North Texas

Little is known about the lived experiences of these mothers. A critical review of the literature identified only ten peer-reviewed articles examining the experiences of parents caring for children with physical disabilities in Bangladesh. Of these, only three focused specifically on mothers’ experiences, particularly the challenges of caring for children with physical disabilities.

Lack of Studies on Mothers in Bangladesh

Malek, F., King, J., & Edward, N. (2026). Warrior mothers: lived experiences of Bangladeshi mothers of children with physical disability. Disability & Society, 41(3), 698–719. https://doi.org/10.1080/09687599.2025.2564959 

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

Bangladeshi mothers often face religious interpretations that shape perceptions of disability, sometimes attributing it to fate or divine will, which influence how they seek support. As a result, mothers are ashamed of their children with disabilities and afraid to discuss their needs. They tend to hide and seclude the children in their homes and avoid seeking services. Social discrimination has a considerable negative impact on the mothers’ caring experiences as they disconnect from their communities and become isolated.

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