Article explores the effect of the pandemic on the livehoods of Kenyans in Kibera and exposes the problematic gender blind , decontextualised conceptualisation of social protection during the pandemic.What is not foregrounded is the structural and systemic marginalisation of these communities through out the years and how a targeted approach ( as opposed to univeralised) to social protection has left men and women in Kenya with limited capability to absord, adapt and anticipate shocks. Important question is what is guiding these choices? Current focus by the state in terms of social protection is on the Big Four Agenda on food security, universal health, affordable housing and manufacturing. http://cn.invest.go.ke/wp-content/uploads/2018/12/Government-of-Kenya-Big-Four-Plan.pdf What gendered assumptions underlie the agenda?
The article provides blend of graphic and some print text of the lives of small business communities in Korogocho Community in Nairobi and the effect of the COVID 19.
From a gender lens, there is need to further examine the intersection of gender , age and poverty to have a more nuaced understanding on the effects at household and community level. We need to examine how gender norms and roles could be shifting in light of dwilling livelihood opportunities and what effect this has on resilience and gender inequality. For example norms on caregiving and breadwinning.
AM: Mawazo's #COVID survey suggested that African women are more likely to have suspended their research due to the pandemic.
A recent Nature study in the US reveals similiar findings and links this to Intersified child care/caregiving demands during the Pandemic. https://www.nature.com/articles/d41586-020-01294-9?fbclid=IwAR2SBr0ZQ4Jb...