Socio-Demographic and Socioeconomic Characteristics of Women with Disabilities in Yobe State, Nigeria

Abstract

Women with disabilities constitute one of the most socially and economically marginalized groups in low- and middle-income countries, yet empirical evidence on their lived conditions remains limited, particularly in northern Nigeria. This study examines the socio-demographic and socioeconomic characteristics of women with disabilities in Yobe State, Nigeria. A cross-sectional descriptive survey design was employed, involving 459 women with disabilities aged 15 years and above drawn from Potiskum, Damaturu, and Yusufari Local Government Areas. Data were collected through face-to-face interviews using a structured questionnaire and analyzed using descriptive statistical techniques in SPSS version 26. The findings show that the majority of women with disabilities are within the economically active and reproductive age group of 25–54 years. Most respondents are married, although a substantial proportion are divorced or widowed, indicating notable marital instability. Religiously, the population is overwhelmingly Muslim, reflecting the dominant religious composition of Yobe State, while ethnically the respondents are drawn from diverse groups, with Kare-Kare, Kanuri, and Fulani being the most represented. Socioeconomic results reveal very low levels of formal education, with most women having no Western education or only Islamic/Qur’anic education. Employment opportunities are similarly limited, as a majority of respondents are unemployed, and those who are economically active are largely engaged in informal activities such as petty trading. Overall, the study establishes that women with disabilities in Yobe State experience low socioeconomic status characterized by limited education and high unemployment, placing them in a position of heightened social and economic vulnerability. These findings underscore the need for disability-inclusive education, livelihood, and social protection policies.