Unrecognized labour: Mothers caring for children living with disabilities in Igunga District, Tanzania

This qualitative study explored the daily experiences, challenges, and support needs of mothers caring for children with disabilities in Igunga District, Tanzania. The study examined mothers' daily caregiving roles through in-depth interviews and focus group discussions with mothers, community members, and social welfare officers. The findings revealed that mothers face burdens due to norms assigning them a primary care responsibility, and a lack of family and community support. Caring for children with extra needs limits their livelihoods and subjects them to stigma and neglect which prevents them from participating in work or other activities. Mothers struggle to access services and require economic empowerment, recognition of their contributions, and inclusive support networks. The study concluded with the need to address social and gender injustices and promote mothers’ well-being to achieve equitable outcomes as the study is dedicated to centering women’s voices. Moreover, by using Frasers’s modal of justice the study addresses an urgent collective intervention of recognition and redistribution to support mothers caring for children living with disabilities.