Attachments
Publication Author
Naome Wandera, Chryspin Afifu, Kirabo Suubi, Emily Schaub, Connor Ruth and Izugbara Chimaraoke
Executive Summary
Background
At the onset of the COVID-19 pandemic, the Kenyan government, like others in the East African region and around the globe, put measures in place to contain the spread of the virus. The country’s COVID-19 policy responses included movement restrictions, curfews, and closure of public places such as schools, shopping centers, places of worship, entertainment venues, and business premises, among others. These policy measures negatively impacted women’s livelihoods and economic activities as well as their access to sexual and reproductive health (SRH) and gender-based violence (GBV) services.
Study Objectives and Research Questions
This study explores the impacts of the COVID-19 pandemic and related policy responses on women in the urban informal sector in Nairobi, Kenya. Specifically, the study sought to understand impacts on pre-existing gender inequalities, the economic impact of COVID-19 and coping strategies implemented by informal sector women workers (IWWs), and IWWs’ experiences related to SRH and GBV as they related to the pandemic. The study sought to answer the following four research questions:
a) What are the specific gender norms and practices (in the family, community, and businesses) that further exacerbated the vulnerabilities of women in the informal sector during the COVID-19 pandemic?
b) How did COVID-19 policy responses specifically impact the livelihoods activities of IWWs in the service, trading, and food sub-sectors?
c) How did COVID-19 policy responses specifically impact IWWs’ exposure to GBV and access to SRH services?
d) What were the coping and resilience strategies/mechanisms for the women in the informal sector amidst the impacts of the pandemic?