Covid-19 and feminism in the Global South: Challenges, initiatives and dilemmas

Abstract

The article addresses the gendered implications of Covid-19 in the Global South by paying attention to the intersectional pre-existing inequalities that have given rise to specific risks and vulnerabilities. It explores various aspects of the pandemic-induced ‘crisis of social reproduction’ that affects women as the main caregivers as well as addressing the drastic increase of various forms of gender-based violence. Both, in addition to growing poverty and severely limited access to resources and health services, are particularly devastating in marginalized and vulnerable communities in the Global South. The article looks at specific regions and countries to illustrate wider challenges faced by LGBTQ populations, ethnic minorities, domestic workers, migrants and sex workers. Against the background of these gendered intersectional challenges, the article then moves to discuss feminist initiatives and mobilizations to deal with the crisis in specific local contexts as well as nationally, regionally and transnationally. It concludes by highlighting a number of visions, tensions and dilemmas faced by feminists in the Global South that will need to be taken into consideration in terms of transnational feminist solidarities.

In the name of COVID-19: legitimizing the exclusion of community participation in Ecuador’s health policy

“…In more extreme contexts, lockdown was enforced with the aid of the military ( Kalkman, 2020 ); while in countries such as the United States the response effectively became militaristic, exclusionary and anti-democratic ( Forester and O’Brien, 2020 ). In Lebanon, shortly after protests, calls for military intervention in the COVID-19 response were announced ( Al-Ali, 2020 ).…”

Climate change, COVID-19, and the co-production of injustices: a feminist reading of overlapping crises

“…Heightened vulnerabilities, a crisis of social reproduction, and disparities posed challenges to transnational feminist solidarities in the global South with the pandemic (Al-Ali, 2020). However, instances of solidarities, mutual aid, and caregiving activities have simultaneously been fostered by feminist organizations across and between countries to address these rising challenges: country-specific efforts such as 'Federation of Muslim Women's Associations' in Nigeria, 'Coordinadora Feminista 8 M' in Chile, 'She is a Revolution' in Iraq, as well as global efforts by existing feminist initiatives such as 'Association for Women in Development (AWID)' (Al- Ali, 2020).…”

Reimagining value: A feminist commentary in the midst of the COVID‐19 pandemic

“…Decolonial feminism exposes the impact of the crisis on individuals, health systems, and economies in the Global South highlight preexisting inequalities. As Al‐Ali (2020) discusses that specific risks and vulnerabilities are associated with intersectional preexisting inequalities in the Global South especially the wider challenges faced by LGBTQ populations, ethnic minorities, domestic workers, migrants, and sex workers. Considering transnational feminist solidarities, Al‐Ali highlights how against the background of gendered intersectional challenges, feminist initiatives, and mobilizations to deal with the crisis in specific local contexts as well as nationally, regionally, and transnationally are required.…”