Gendered Perspectives on Covid-19 Recovery in Africa : Towards Sustainable Development

"This book describes the political, social, and economic connections between gender and the Covid-19 pandemic. The authors offer innovative ideas for recovery that will build a more prosperous, healthy, equitable, and sustainable future for African women and girls, targets identified under Goal 5 (Gender Equality and Women's Empowerment) of the United Nations' Sustainable Development Goals slated to be achieved by 2030. Within this context, authors identify issues related to the protection of women and girls from poverty, hunger, and gender-based violence; improved healthcare and healthcare workforce experiences; girl-child education; financial inclusion; and entrepreneurship opportunities for women in fintech, tourism, and information, communication and technology (ICT). The book concludes with a discussion of economic empowerment for women that focuses on normalising the 'un-normal' outcome of the pandemic. The book will be of value to policymakers, non-profit organisations, practitioners, and scholars who understand the importance of gender equality and women empowerment in the African continent." Preface Contents Notes on Contributors List of Figures List of Tables 1 Introduction: Gendered Perspectives on Covid-19 Recovery in Africa—Towards Sustainable Development Introduction Women’s Contributions to Achieving Sustainable Development The Effect of Covid-19 on Sustainable Development The Effect of Covid-19 on the Social and Economic Contributions of Women The Focus and Structure of This Book The Need for Targeted Responses and Recovery Plans References 2 The Covid-19 Pandemic and the UN’s Sustainable Development Goals: A General Overview Introduction Assessment of the Covid-19 and SDG Literature People (SDGs 1–5) Prosperity (SDGs 8–10) Planet (SDGs 11–13) Partnerships (SDG 17) Implications and Conclusion Future Directions References 3 Protecting Women and the Girl Child in Sub-Saharan Africa Against Extreme Poverty and Hunger During a Pandemic: Lessons from Covid-19 Introduction Covid-19 in Africa Consequences of Covid-19 in Sub-Saharan Africa on Poverty and Hunger Achieving SDGs 1 and 2 Despite Covid-19 Recommendations for Achieving SDGs 1 and 2 for Women in Sub-Saharan Africa, Amidst the Covid-19 Pandemic Conclusion References 4 Gender-Based Violence and Covid-19: The Shadow Pandemic in Africa Introduction Gender-Based Violence—The African Situation Pre-Pandemic Gender-Based Violence and Covid-19 Pandemic in Africa Responding to Gender-Based Violence During a Pandemic Implement a Gendered Policy for a Time of Crisis and Pandemic Educate Women and Girls Provide Easy and Accessible Communication Platforms for Reporting of Cases Strengthen the Access to Justice Include Emergency Plans for the Protection of Women and Girls During a Crisis Recommendation for Recovery and Achievement of the SDGs 5; Target 2 Conclusion References 5 African Women’s Health and the Covid-19 Pandemic: Implications for Policy and Development Introduction Women’s Health in Africa Before the Covid-19 Pandemic Impacts of the Covid-19 Pandemic on Women’s Health in Africa Implications for African Development and Policy Implications for Agriculture—SDG 2 in Africa Implications for Education—SDG 4 in Africa Implications for the Healthcare Sector—SDG 3 in Africa Conclusion References 6 Covid-19 Pandemic and the Girl Child Education: The Case of Nigeria and South Africa Introduction Girl Child Education and the Impact of Covid-19 Pandemic Girl Child Education in Nigeria: Geographical Divisions and Deepening Crisis Girl Child Education in South Africa: Gender, Social, and Racial Inequalities or a Cursory Gender Parity? Policy and Research Recommendations Conclusion References 7 The Impact of Covid-19 on the African Workforce Through the Lenses of Nurses and Midwives Introduction Covid-19, Nurses and Midwives in Africa Methods Results and Findings Physical Impact of Covid-19 on African Nurses and Midwives Psychological Impact of Covid-19 on African Nurses and Midwives Social impact of Covid-19 on nurses and midwives Discussion of Study Findings Physical Impact Psychological Impact Social Impact Recommendations for Recovery and Achievement of SDGs 8 in Africa Conclusion References 8 Women’s Entrepreneurship, Health-Related Crisis, and a Gender-Sensitive Crisis Management Model for Sustainable Development Introduction Theoretical Framework A Framework for Health Crisis Management Theory of Social Feminism and the Need for Gender-Sensitive Frameworks The Research Context Methodology Data Collection Data Analysis Findings Within Case Analysis Case 1/Respondent 1 Case 2/Respondent 2 Case 3/Respondent 3 Case 4/Respondent 4 Across Case Analysis Signal Detection Preparation/Prevention Containment/Damage Limitation Recovery Learning Discussion Conclusion References 9 The Role of African Entrepreneurship in Promoting Gender Equality and Increasing Resilience and Agility in Uncertain Times Introduction The African Women Entrepreneurs and Covid-19 Key Policies and Practices to Mitigate the Impacts and Sustain MSMEs During and After the Pandemic Covid-19 Pandemic Policy Interventions to Support Women Entrepreneurs Business Practices to Support Women Entrepreneurs Through the Covid-19 Pandemic Surviving Through the Pandemic Surviving Beyond the Pandemic Promoting Gender Equality Conclusion References 10 Gender and Covid-19 Economic Recovery: Towards Policy Recommendations and Directions in Kenya Introduction Broad Covid-19 Containment Measures Gender Policy Guidelines and Statistics Economic Recovery Measures External Support Measures Implications on Gender Policy Recommendations and Directions Conclusion References 11 Empowering Women During Covid-19 Pandemic: Trends, Challenges, and Opportunities for Informality Introduction WOMEN and INFORMALITY in Africa Covid-19 Impact on Women: Trends, Challenges, and Opportunities Covid-19 in Africa Gender Impact Economic Social Impact SDGs, Gender Equality, and Covid-19 Recommendations Beyond Empowerment Programme Social and Economic Reform Specific Policy Attention to Help Those in Informality Public Education Emphasis on Women and Covid-19 Building Women Capacity to Work Remotely Conclusion References 12 Financial Inclusion for Women in the Informal Economy: An SDG Agenda Post Pandemic Introduction The Informal Economy and SDGs Women’s Participation in the Informal Economy Impact of Covid-19 on the Informal Economy Financial Inclusion for Women in the Informal Economy Conceptual Framework Policy Recommendations Government and Policymakers Gender Specialists, Activists, Charity, and Educational Organisations Financial Service Provider Conclusion References 13 Fintech, Blockchain, and Women in the Post-COVID Africa Introduction Literature Review Fintech Research on Women Blockchain Research on Women Fintech and Women Blockchain and Women Implications for Women in Post-Covid-19 Africa Conclusion and Future Research References 14 Covid-19, Women in Tourism and Sustainable Development: The Nigeria Experience Introduction Women, Tourism and Sustainable Development African Women, Tourism and Leadership The Covid-19 Pandemic and Tourism A Case Study of Nigeria The Tourism Sector in Nigeria—An Overview Methodology Results and Discussion The Impact of Covid-19 on Nigerian Women in Tourism Family and Home Personal Health and Well-Being Work and Career Finances Work Location Discussion of Impacts Proactive Responses by Nigerian Women in the Tourism Sector to the Covid-19 Pandemic Polices to Protect Women Against Future Pandemics Recommended Recovery Strategies from the Covid-19 Pandemic Discussion of Policy and Recovery Strategies Conclusion References 15 ICT for Sustainable Development and Women Empowerment: A Post-pandemic Strategy Introduction Women Empowerment Current Status of Women Empowerment in Africa Women-specific Challenges Due to Covid-19 in Africa Effects of Covid-19 on Sustainable Development in Africa ICT for Sustainable Development and Women Empowerment ICT—Post-Covid-19 Strategy for Sustainable Development and Women Empowerment Conclusion References 16 Women Economic Empowerment and Post-pandemic Recovery in Africa: Normalising the “Un-Normal” Outcome of Covid-19 Introduction Women Empowerment in Africa Towards Entrepreneurship Development Gender Inequality Issues Affecting Africa Entrepreneurship COVID and Women Entrepreneurship in Africa Discussions and Implications Future Research Directions References Index