Systematically excluded: Young women’s experiences of accessing child support grants in South Africa

Gibbs, Andrew; Washington, Laura; Shai, Nwabisa; Sikweyiya, Yandisa; Willan, Samantha

doi:10.1080/17441692.2018.1449231

Cited by 6 publications

(5 citation statements)

References 15 publications

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“…The CSG is a cornerstone of poverty alleviation in SA but access to the grant remains a challenge, particularly for mothers in extreme poverty. Over 10% of women in our study did not receive any grant, and more needs to be done to address this [52]. In addition, payments start several weeks after the baby is born.…”

Section: Discussionmentioning

confidence: 95%

Addressing the interaction between food insecurity, depression risk and informal work: findings of a cross-sectional survey among informal women workers with young children in South Africa.

Horwood

Haskins

Rachael

et al. 2020

Preprint

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Background: There is a high burden of depression globally, including in South Africa. Maternal depression is associated with poverty, unstable income, food insecurity, and lack of partner support, and may lead to poor outcomes for mothers and children. In South Africa one-third of working women are in informal work, which is associated with socioeconomic vulnerability. Methods: A cross sectional survey explored work setting and conditions, food security and risk of depression among informal working women with young children (0-3years). Depression risk was assessed using the Edinburgh Postnatal Depression Score (EPDS) and Whooley score. Food insecurity was evaluated using USAID Household Food Insecurity Access Scale (HFIAS). Data was analysed using SPSS and Stata. Results: Interviews were conducted with 265 informal women workers. Types of work included domestic work, home-based work, informal employees and own account workers, most of whom were informal traders. Most participants (149/265; 56.2%) earned between US$70-200 per month, but some participants (79/265; 29.8%) earned less than US$70 per month, and few earned >US$200 per month (37/265; 14.0%). Many participants experienced mild (38/267; 14.3%), moderate (72/265; 27.2%) or severe (43/265; 16%) food insecurity. Severe food insecurity was significantly higher among participants with the lowest income compared to those with the highest income (p= 0.027). Women who received financial support from the baby’s father were less likely to be food insecure (p=0.03). Using EPDS scores, 22/265 (8.3%) women were designated as being at risk of depression. This was similar among postnatal women and women with older children. Household food insecurity was significantly associated with depression risk (p<0.001).Conclusions: Informal women workers were shown to be vulnerable with low incomes and high rates of food insecurity, thus increasing the risk for poor maternal health. However, levels of depression risk were low compared to previous estimates in South Africa, suggesting that informal workers may have high levels of resilience. Interventions to improve social protection, access to health services, and support for safe childcare in the workplace could improve the health and wellbeing of these mothers and support them to care for their children.

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Section: Discussionmentioning

confidence: 95%

Addressing the interaction between food insecurity, depression risk and informal work: findings of a cross-sectional survey among informal women workers with young children in South Africa.

Horwood

Haskins

Rachael

et al. 2020

Preprint

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“…Thus, soon after leaving the mines, men and their families entered further into poverty. As Gibbs et al [ 52 ] argue, livelihoods challenges for poor Black men in South Africa are ‘embedded in a complex intersection of economic, political and social marginalization that they have experienced over many years and even inter-generationally, with histories of migration and distant fatherhood, first emerging on their grandfathers, continuing through to them’ (p.9). Targeted research is needed to establish the long-lasting implications of migration and mine work for poor Black men in South Africa.…”

Section: Discussionmentioning

confidence: 99%

“You see this thing is hard… ey, this thing is painful”: The burden of the provider role and construction of masculinities amongst Black male mineworkers in Marikana, South Africa

et al. 2022

Self Cite

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In this paper we examine men’s insights on how migration and minework affect their perceptions and performances of masculinity in the settings of minework and in their “real home” communities and explore the potential consequences of masculinity constructions for their own and their family’s health. This study used qualitative methodology. Findings are based on 13 in-depth interviews conducted over two phases of data collection with adult men who were either working or seeking work in the mines in North-West province, South Africa. Data suggest that for these men, migration to and working in the mines meant they must straddle the temporal space of work and the rural home space. For these men, the role of provider was an inescapable demand and, resulting from migration for work, their experience of fatherhood was solely centred on material provision with little or no emotional involvement with their children. Findings further illustrate the impact of minework on men’s health and livelihoods-resulting in some men reimagining and seeking to create alternative career paths for their children. There is pressing need for labour reforms on the employment conditions of low-paid mine workers to enable them to reinforce their livelihoods and secure better futures for their families. Gender-transformative interventions which aim to transform ideas of masculinity that emphasize providing rather than emotional involvement with children are also needed.

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“…We did not ascertain which study participants were eligible for the grant in terms of income (less than R4000 ($235) per month), so it is possible that some of those who did not receive a grant would have been eligible. It is recognised that many of the most vulnerable women in communities do not receive grants as they may struggle to compile the documentation needed to apply for grants, including losing papers in the frequent fires that occur in informal settlements or being undocumented migrants [ 45 ].…”

Section: Discussionmentioning

confidence: 99%

Rape survivors in South Africa: analysis of the baseline socio-demographic and health characteristics of a rape cohort

Abrahams

Mhlongo

Chirwa

et al. 2020

Global Health Action

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Background Little is known about women who have experienced a recent rape, and how they differ from women without this exposure. Identifying factors linked to rape is important for preventing rape and developing effective responses in countries like South Africa with high levels of sexual violence. Objective To describe the socio-demographic and health profile of women recently exposed to rape and to compare them with a non-rape-exposed group. Methods The Rape Impact Cohort Evaluation Study (RICE) enrolled 852 women age 16–40 years exposed to rape from post-rape care centres in Durban (South Africa) and a control group of 853 women of the same age range who have never been exposed to rape recruited from public health services. Descriptive analyses include logistic regression modelling of socio-demographic characteristics associated with recent rape exposure. Results Women with recent rape reported poorer health and more intimate partner violence than those who were not raped. They had a lower likelihood of having completed school (Odds Ratio [OR] 0.46 95% Confidence Interval (CI): 0.24–0.87) and dependence on a government grant as a main source of income (OR 0.61: 95%CI 0.49–0.77). They were more likely to live in informal housing (OR 1.88 95%CI: 1.43–2.46) or rural areas (OR 2.24: 95%CI 1.61–3.07) than formal housing areas – however they were also more likely to report full-time employment (OR 4.24: 95%CI 2.73–6.57). Conclusion The study shows that structural factors, such as lower levels of education, poverty, and living in areas of poor infrastructure are associated with women’s vulnerability to rape. It also shows possible protection from rape afforded by the national financial safety net. It highlights the importance of safe transportation in commuting to work. Preventing rape is critical for enabling women’s full social and economic development, and structural interventions are key for reducing women’s vulnerability.

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Systematically excluded: Young women’s experiences of accessing child support grants in South Africa

Cited by 6 publications

References 15 publications

Addressing the interaction between food insecurity, depression risk and informal work: findings of a cross-sectional survey among informal women workers with young children in South Africa.

Addressing the interaction between food insecurity, depression risk and informal work: findings of a cross-sectional survey among informal women workers with young children in South Africa.

“You see this thing is hard… ey, this thing is painful”: The burden of the provider role and construction of masculinities amongst Black male mineworkers in Marikana, South Africa

Rape survivors in South Africa: analysis of the baseline socio-demographic and health characteristics of a rape cohort

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