How Did Covid 19 Affect Women and Research on Women in Transitional Countries? A Comparative Perspective from the Gender, Justice, and Security Hub
In this document, we present a collection of case studies on the effects of COVID-19 on women and on research on women in transitional countries. Our comparative work focuses on Afghanistan, Colombia, Kurdistan-Iraq, Lebanon, Sierra Leone, Sri Lanka, and Uganda. Each case study delves into the repercussions on various aspects of women’s lives, encompassing education, economy, labour market, society, domestic violence, healthcare and mental wellbeing. It also provides information on how researchers in each case responded to the challenges of continuing data collection and analysis amidst a pandemic.
This double-sided story, illustrating the experience of researchers and of the studied communities, sheds light on the myriad challenges researchers encountered amidst the pandemic, deftly navigating intricate terrains in diverse countries. From grappling with socioeconomic barriers in Sri Lanka to addressing concerns of environmental sustainability in Uganda, negotiating political complexities in Iraq, and contending with the Taliban’s ascent to power in Afghanistan, each chapter illuminates the multifaceted nature of these struggles. Moreover, it delves into the nuances of implementing Peace Agreements and engaging in ongoing negotiations with remaining armed groups in Colombia, combating the enduring scourge of violence against women in post-war Sierra Leone, and grappling with Lebanon’s status as one of the most unequal nations amidst a crisis of unprecedented magnitude.
These stories not only illuminate the experiences of women but also the adaptability of researchers in these challenging environments, contributing to our understanding of the pandemic’s multifaceted impact and the necessity for gender-sensitive policies in the post-pandemic era. The narratives from Afghanistan, Colombia, Lebanon, Sierra Leone, Sri Lanka, Uganda, and Iraq provide a rich tapestry of experiences, illustrating the resilience and challenges faced by women in these diverse contexts while also acknowledging that the pandemic exacerbates existing vulnerabilities of women prior the pandemic and represented a setback in gender equality goals. Researchers were significantly affected by the lockdowns, inability to travel to research countries, lack of access to data, physical and mental health concerns, difficulties reaching the communities, work-life balance, and numerous uncertainties. They managed to adapt their projects to these realities, adjusting time frames, methodologies and taking advantage of technology to conduct research online, strengthening communitarian and civil society partnerships, and prioritising well-being of colleagues and participants.
This document acknowledges and honours the different challenges, opportunities, and strategies of Gender Hub research projects.
