Assessing the Impacts of COVID-19 on Women Refugees in South Africa

Abstract

The global COVID-19 pandemic and subsequent lockdowns and restrictions have had uneven impacts on populations and have deepened many pre-existing inequalities along lines of race, ethnicity, class, gender. Refugees have been shown to be particularly negatively impacted in many countries, with existing structures of violence and insecurity worsened by the immediate consequences of the pandemic through policy responses which largely ignore their needs whether by excluding them from targeted COVID-19 mitigation measures, or by imposing restrictions which directly impact on their well-being. Our research with refugee women in Durban, South Africa, illustrates the ways in which COVID-19 has exacerbated their insecurities and intensified structural violence which renders them vulnerable. More importantly, it seems that the impacts of COVID-19 are not just short term but will deepen the violence and insecurities experienced by these women in the longer term if these are not addressed by government and relevant NGOs and civil society organizations.

Exploring the Challenges of Afghan Refugee Women Facing COVID-19: A Qualitative Study in Iran

“…Intensified experience of violence and conflict in the family was another research finding that is consistent with most research on COVID-19 ( 45 – 47 ). A study by Mutambara et al among refugee women in South Africa also reported an increase in violence against women during the COVID-19 ( 35 ). The COVID-19 outbreak has affected all aspects of Afghans life and put many restrictions on their lives, forcing family members, who used to be outside for longer hours and used to return home only to sleep, to stay home all day.…”

“…Although the two groups of women and immigrants generally face many problems during the outbreak period, the challenges of immigrant women are broader in relation to COVID-19 ( 34 ). Mutambara et al in a study among immigrant women in South Africa showed COVID-19 has exacerbated structural violence and insecurity for women, and if left unchecked by governments, the consequences of the disease will be long-term and more destructive ( 35 ). Most immigrants in Iran are Afghans, whose population has increased in the last 40 years due to cultural, religious, and linguistic commonalities with Iranians ( 36 ).…”

Challenges of Researchers in Conducting International Study during the Eruption of COVID-19: Student and Mentor Perspectives

“…I was saddened to discover that structural violence imposed on refugees during COVID-19 was even more dehumanizing of their already fragile conditions. The pandemic exacerbated their needs and limited their access to services, which resulted in keeping them physically isolated, socially demonized and consequently made the public panic from mortality threats more tangible [ 24 , 25 ]. Refugees were alienated and abandoned to cope with minimal governmental assistance, which left all the burden and responsibility on humanitarian organizations and their staff.…”

Sustainable Development and Livelihoods of Rohingya Refugees in Bangladesh: The Effects of COVID-19

“…The COVID-19 pandemic generates diverse and widespread effects on different groups of people. The women and girls are more vulnerable to COVID-19 [62] because of their distinctive physiological and reproductive health practice when it urges for unique water, sanitation, and hygiene (WASH) facilities…”