Categorising the Gendered Harms to Caregivers During Humanitarian Emergencies: An Analysis of Law and Practice During Ebola Crises

Sekalala, Sharifah

doi:10.1177/0964663920974433

Cited by 3 publications

(13 citation statements)

References 57 publications

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“…V ulnerable groups are under-represented in government responses to the pandemic, and a few key groups account for the majority in any setting. Women are considered particularly vulnerable, and are seen to be more exposed than men to the virus because of the nature of their work and time spent caring for others (Sekalala, 2020 ). Women carry the burden of care for their families, and are subject to discrimination as a reflection of patriarchal norms.…”

Section: Methodsmentioning

confidence: 99%

“…Govender and colleagues (2020) report that various sexual and reproductive health services in South Africa were suspended because of the prioritisation of COVID-19 treatment, leaving women also with unmet needs for contraceptives, health screening and related exams, and other key services. Gender-based violence is pervasive and reportedly increased during the pandemic (Renzaho, 2020 ; Sekalala, 2020 ; Olufadewa et al, 2021 ); lockdowns and curfews limited women’s capacity to seek help to escape family violence or to report on sexual assault. In West Africa, many women who live in poverty lack sufficient education to be familiar with the law and human rights; even if they report violence, “courts are likely to underestimate the degree of harm faced by women” (Sekalala, 2020 , p. 14) and minimise women’s suffering.…”

Section: Methodsmentioning

confidence: 99%

“…Gender-based violence is pervasive and reportedly increased during the pandemic (Renzaho, 2020 ; Sekalala, 2020 ; Olufadewa et al, 2021 ); lockdowns and curfews limited women’s capacity to seek help to escape family violence or to report on sexual assault. In West Africa, many women who live in poverty lack sufficient education to be familiar with the law and human rights; even if they report violence, “courts are likely to underestimate the degree of harm faced by women” (Sekalala, 2020 , p. 14) and minimise women’s suffering. Few policy measures exist that address women’s vulnerability, and those that exist have been identified as inadequate (Akech, 2020 ; Amadasun, 2020 ; Govender et al, 2020 ; Ntlama and Chitsamatanga, 2020 ; Renzaho, 2020 ; Sekalala, 2020 ; Chiwona-Karltun et al, 2021 ; Olufadewa et al, 2021 ).…”

Section: Methodsmentioning

confidence: 99%

“…These four vulnerable groups were most frequently addressed in the literature, and described in greatest detail. In general, the populations disadvantaged by or excluded from COVID-19 policies in Africa to mid 2021 included: Women (Akech, 2020 ; Govender et al, 2020 ; Ntlama and Chitsamatanga, 2020 ; Renzaho, 2020 ; Sekalala, 2020 ; Chiwona-Karltun et al, 2021 ; Olufadewa et al, 2021 ) Children (Akech, 2020 ; Amadasun, 2020 ; Dube, 2020 ; McQuoid-Mason, 2020 ; Ntlama and Chitsamatanga, 2020 ; Adebisi et al, 2021 ; Boretti, 2021 ) Youth (Amadasun, 2020 ; Govender et al, 2020 ; Renzaho, 2020 ) Migrants, including refugees, asylum-seekers, documented and documented immigrants, persons who migrate from rural to urban environments, internally displaced persons, and trafficked survivors (Bukuluki et al, 2020 ; Mukumbang et al, 2020 ; Oladimeji et al, 2020 ; Somse and Eba, 2020 ; Chiwona-Karltun et al, 2021 ) Inmates (Botes and Thaldar, 2020 ; Iversen et al, 2020 ; Muntingh, 2020 ; Oladimeji et al, 2020 ), people in closed settings (Iversen et al, 2020 ), and prison staff (Van Hout, 2020 ) Persons with medical co-morbidities, including chronic pulmonary disease, cardiovascular disease, cerebrovascular disease, diabetes and compromised immunity (Govender et al, 2020 ; Iversen et al, 2020 ; Adebisi et al, 2021 ; Olufadewa et al, 2021 ) Populations living in extreme poverty, such as those living in informal settlements (Botes and Thaldar, 2020 ; Odunitan-Wayas et al, 2020 ; Sehoole, 2020 ) Persons living with disabilities (Botes and Thaldar, 2020 ; Adebisi et al, 2021 ), including learners living with severe disabilities (Moodley et al, 2020 ) Professional (Sekalala, …”

Section: Methodsmentioning

confidence: 99%

“…Women (Akech, 2020 ; Govender et al, 2020 ; Ntlama and Chitsamatanga, 2020 ; Renzaho, 2020 ; Sekalala, 2020 ; Chiwona-Karltun et al, 2021 ; Olufadewa et al, 2021 )…”

Section: Methodsmentioning

confidence: 99%

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Containing COVID-19 and the social costs on human rights in African countries

Manderson

Chavarro

Kaunda-Khangamwa

et al. 2022

Humanit Soc Sci Commun

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Multiple social interventions were introduced to contain the COVID-19 pandemic across Africa, limiting social engagement, school and workplace attendance, and travel. In anticipation of negative economic consequences and social impact, many governments introduced cash transfers, social pensions, food aid, and utility and tax waivers. However, people living precariously and/or under conditions of structural vulnerability were often unable to access to this support. A rapid review was undertaken on COVID-19 and the effects of interventions on human rights in African countries, examining primary studies, editorial notes, opinion papers, and literature reviews, with focus on qualitative approaches and discussions. In examining the links between health, human rights and non-pharmaceutical interventions on vulnerable populations, the review identified that: (1) people who were vulnerable were excluded from or not adequately represented in policy responses to COVID-19; (2) the precarious socio-economic conditions of these populations were not adequately addressed by dominant policy responses; and (3) only partial support was offered to those whose relationship with the state was ambiguous or conditional, so compromising human rights. Interactions between health, human rights, and underlying social and economic conditions amplified poor health and impoverishment of those who were already vulnerable. The challenge is to find a balance between stopping the spread of COVID-19 and the protection of human rights; to implement population-specific responses to supplement uniform public health responses; and to address causes (structural vulnerability) rather than symptoms. There is a need to plan rather than react to pandemics, and to co-construct interventions with rather than delivering instructions to populations. These recommendations serve as instruments to be considered when designing new policies, to incorporate a human rights perspective in responses to current and future pandemics.

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Section: Methodsmentioning

confidence: 99%

Section: Methodsmentioning

confidence: 99%

Section: Methodsmentioning

confidence: 99%

Section: Methodsmentioning

confidence: 99%

“…Women (Akech, 2020 ; Govender et al, 2020 ; Ntlama and Chitsamatanga, 2020 ; Renzaho, 2020 ; Sekalala, 2020 ; Chiwona-Karltun et al, 2021 ; Olufadewa et al, 2021 )…”

Section: Methodsmentioning

confidence: 99%

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