One of the most prevalent human rights violations in the world is Violence Against Women and Girls. It is estimated that 1 in 3 women, which is equal to 736 million women, have been experiencing sexual and/or physical violence in her lifetime since the age of 15. Previous research states that women with intellectual disabilities are more vulnerable to Gender Based Violence (GBV) than other women in Tanzania. A minor field study was done in Tanzania with the ame to; finding how women with intellectual disabilities are more vulnerable than other women in Tanzania, understand how the society's support for abused women with disabilities can be improved in Tanzania and to find how stakeholders perceive that violence against women with intellectual disabilities can be prevented. The study has been carried out by holding key informant interviews with employees of NGOs, lawyers and teachers that work for these women's rights in different ways in Tanzania. To analyze the empirical material, the Human rights based approach has been made made into an analytical framework by identifying and defining the key concepts: capability, functionings and freedom and with the perspective of Leave no one behind. The findings show that poverty, cultural beliefs and beliefs in witchcraft, among other things contribute to the fact that women with intellectual disabilities are extra vulnerable in Tanzania. They are at great risk of being locked up, become victims of human trafficing, subjected to rape and murder.  Society should raise awareness that GBV is illegal and wrong to improve the situation of women with intellectual disabilities. The police and healthcare workers should be better trained to respond to women with special needs who have been subjected to violence or sexual violence. The government could also give these women support to be able to work on their own terms. Through work, the women get a better life and meaning, which reduces the risk that she will be exposed to GBV. To prevent violence against these women the government should offer availability to adapted and inclusive schools with trained staff who know the needs of disabled children. If these kids can go to school with others, people with disabilities will be normalized and the stigma will reduce. To conclude, women with intellectual disabilities are extra vulnerable in Tanzania and much can be done to improve their situation.

Mothers with intellectual disabilities (ID) have been for a long time a marginalised population, both from a research perspective, as well as from the everyday practice of social workers and medical personnel. The first aim of the research presented in this thesis was to analyse how women with intellectual disabilities expereinece their motherhood and what are their experiences with formal and informal support. The second aim of this thesis was to explore how professionals (i.e., social workers and medical personnel), accept women with intellectual disabilities and how they perceive support they provide to these women. The author used mixed method approach, specifically interview and survey approaches. There were 19 women with intellectual disabilities and 504 professionals (175 medical workers and 329 social workers) who took part in this study. The author also developed four case studies which illustrate the development of mother's identity across divere contexts. This research concluded that women with intellectual disabilities experience their mother's role in the same way as their peers without disabilities, however they need adequate support for performing their role of a mother and for daily tasks. This research also found that professionalism and support offered by social workers and...