Peer-reviewed article
Women and household responsibilities under COVID-19 lockdowns: many steps backwards in implementing SDG 5 in South Africa.
Nhamo G, Maoela MA ·
Summary
Written by AI, not yet AICS's view · claude-haiku-4-5-20251001This study examined how COVID-19 lockdowns affected women's household responsibilities and caregiving roles in Limpopo Province, South Africa, using surveys from over 4,500 households and 226 teachers. Women experienced increased unpaid caregiving work alongside inadequate water and sanitation access. Girls were particularly vulnerable, with increased school dropouts and unwanted pregnancies. The research found significant gender disparities across urban and rural settings, indicating progress towards gender equality (SDG 5) was reversed during the pandemic.
Key points
- Women disproportionately experienced increased home-based responsibilities, work overloads, and trauma during lockdowns
- Girls showed increased vulnerability including school dropouts and unwanted pregnancies
- Significant gender disparities existed in water access and sanitation facility reliability
- Impacts differed between urban and rural settings in Limpopo Province
- The study calls for gendered and age-sensitive policies in pandemic responses
Limitations
The study is limited to one province (Limpopo) in South Africa, so findings may not generalise to other regions or countries. The cross-sectional survey design (conducted October 2022 to March 2023) cannot establish causal relationships or long-term outcomes beyond the immediate pandemic period.
Abstract
Debates continue regarding the impacts of COVID-19 on women and girls. Lockdowns increased home-based responsibilities, causing work overloads and trauma. This study investigated the impact of COVID-19 lockdowns on women's household responsibilities and caregiving roles in Limpopo Province, assessing how these effects differed between urban and rural settings. Guided by the 2030 Agenda for Sustainable Development and key SDGs, including SDG 5 (Gender), SDG 4 (Quality Education), and SDG 6 (Water and Sanitation), the research utilized a quantitative survey-based approach, including household and teacher surveys. A total of 4,571 completed household surveys and 226 teacher surveys were conducted between October 2022 and March 2023. The study explored various aspects of gendered experiences during the pandemic, including water access, sanitation, education disruptions, and the increased caregiving burdens placed on women. Descriptive and inferential statistical analyses, including ANOVA tests, were conducted to examine the relationships between household dynamics, water access, and gendered responsibilities. The data revealed significant gender disparities, with women disproportionately impacted by inadequate water, unreliable sanitation facilities, and the added burdens of unpaid caregiving. The research highlighted the increased vulnerability of the girl child, particularly regarding school dropouts and unwanted pregnancies. The paper recommends gendered perspectives in pandemic responses and age-sensitive policies for resilience. It also urges decision-makers to recognize the long-term impacts of COVID-19 on achieving SDG 5 and related goals, such as SDG 3.