“Exploring Motherhood in Dandora”—Kenya

Residents of Dandora, a sprawling section of Nairobi dominated by a massive garbage dump, contend with high unemployment, food insecurity, violence, poor health, and environmental issues. In conjunction with local partners and Notre Dame researchers, the Ford Program is working to understand how the area’s maternal health services can be improved.

The study aims to explore the motherhood experiences of women in Dandora, documenting the challenges they face in regard to childbirth through two methodologies: ethnography, consisting of participant observation and interviews, and cultural consensus. Researchers are studying instances of obstetric violence and the views of maternal healthcare workers toward their patients.

Partners: Holy Cross Parish and Visitation Maternity Ward at Brother Andre Medical Center, Dandora
Researchers: Kellogg Faculty Fellow Vania Smith-Oka and Jackline Oluoch-Aridi, Ford Program
Period: 2016–18