Quarantine has been used to stop the spread of infectious diseases since its inception in 532 AD. Between 2020 and the beginning of 2022, the global COVID-19 pandemic forced governments all over the world to enact measures, which changed the daily lives of people and yet doing so created a paradox of societal alienation. The global COVID-19 crisis has caused widespread societal upheaval, psychological distress, and financial insecurity, affecting communities on a profound scale. (Waterman et al., 2020). Numerous societal difficulties, such as loneliness, mental health disorders, and economic instability was brought on by the COVID-19 epidemic However, for the protection of health facilities and the world’s people the quarantine, lockdown and other preventative measures such as wearing of masks, social distancing were essential. As much as these measures were effective to control and eradicate Covid − 19 the battle against the virus had its drawbacks (Bradbury-Jones & Isham, 2020). One of the most concerning outcomes of the pandemic has been the considerable increase in gender-based violence (GBV) incidences during the lockdown period, as survivors were cut off from their social networks, while abusers were granted greater freedom (Waterman et al., 2020).
Due to emotions of isolation and fear of the unknown, many people who were quarantined for COVID-19 experienced negative effects like unemployment, financial difficulty, and emotional suffering. Also known as the 'quarantine paradox', Gender-based violence (GBV) incidences increased considerably during the lockdown period as the pandemic cut off survivors from their social networks as well as granting greater freedom to abusers (Kofman & Garfin, 2020). GBV, is a major issue that affects health significantly on a global scale. Physical, psychological, or economic abuse can have adverse effect on health as well as the ability to exercise civil and human rights for both men and women. GBV is not a singular problem with a single underlying cause, hence its multifaceted nature demands a more nuanced and comprehensive response that any solutions must be thorough and specific to its complexity. However, Committee on the Elimination of Discrimination Against Women (CEDAW), gender-based violence is defined as violence against women that is perpetrated against them disproportionately. Hence, in this study, the term "gender-based violence" has been used to describe a variety of acts of violence against women..
The outbreak of COVID-19 not only showcased a global health crisis but also underlined the deep-seated links between health challenges, societal norms, and gender disparities. The rise in GBV during the pandemic underscored the critical need to assess public sentiment and encounters with GBV as we move forward in a post-pandemic landscape (Oesterle et al., 2020). Rethinking governmental regulations, and raising awareness of the problem and the solutions available are all necessary to lessen its prevalence (Kofman & Garfin, 2020).
Community-based preventative initiatives, in particular, suffered greatly from the restrictive regulations and were forced to cease during the initial weeks of the epidemic due to government-mandated lockdown measures. Organizations were forced to either cease operations or find new ways to provide services in these conditions, which was not always simple, particularly in the absence of any government direction or assistance (Oesterle et al., 2020). Certain organizations attempted to modify program activities through the use of virtual platforms, for example Universties and colleges stated online lectures. Nonetheless, a lot of organizations had trouble adjusting to online platforms. Waterman et al, (2020) highlighted that organizations using integrated community participation as the foundation for their preventative service models, for instance, found it difficult to plan ahead and adjust swiftly, and some were unable to carry on providing services in a different fashion. While some organizations believed that remote platforms were inappropriate for the type of programming they were involved in, others found it difficult to absorb the financial expense of these platforms (Waterman et al., 2020). Many also realized that because many of their recipients were technologically illiterate or lacked digital literacy, these modalities did not work for them..
Investing in innovative GBV preventive programs has long been at the forefront, but overall, preventative work remains underfunded across nations and does not systematically reach a huge majority of the affected population (Bradbury-Jones & Isham, 2020). Owing to a lack of finance, these programs sometimes overlap with others, such as those for mental health and HIV/AIDS, and they do not fully address the many causes and populations impacted by GBV (UNFPA, 2020).
One may argue that having the right enabling laws in place is the cornerstone of a multisectoral, society-wide effort to prevent and lessen domestic abuse. Good policies offer a way to shield victims and stop violence in the future. Laws that lack accountability or execution offer little solace or hope for normative change. Hence interventions arguably, need to be early, swift and multidimensional for sustainable results. It is the intention of this article to investigate post-COVID-19 community perceptions, experiences, and policy implications on GBV Prevention and lessons can we borrow from the covid 19 to enhance the prevention of gender based violence in a community setup.
Despite the widespread acknowledgment of the surge in gender-based violence (GBV) incidents during the COVID-19 pandemic, there remains a critical gap in understanding the nuanced challenges faced by GBV survivors, particularly in low-income, masculine-dominated communities such as the Golden mining community in Kadoma, Zimbabwe. While existing research highlights the multifaceted nature of GBV and its exacerbation by societal norms and economic instability, there is limited insight into the post-pandemic landscape of GBV, including community perceptions, experiences, and policy implications. The key contribution of the research provides valuable insights into post-COVID-19 community perceptions, experiences, and policy implications regarding GBV prevention, offering lessons to enhance prevention strategies in similar community setups worldwide.
The paper is organized logically and methodically, starting with an introduction that places gender-based violence (GBV) in the context of the COVID-19 epidemic. Following is the guiding theory underpinning the study. Social-Ecological Model. It then proceeds to describe the study's methodology, including the use of qualitative research methods such as interviews and focus group discussions. The findings section presents key insights into the challenges faced by GBV survivors, community perceptions of GBV, and the policy implications of the changing landscape of GBV in the post-pandemic era. The paper concludes with a review of the research's consequences and suggestions for improving GBV prevention methods in communities with comparable configurations throughout the globe.
The Social-Ecological Model
Bronfenbrenner's ecological model, developed in 1979, examines human development by examining the individual and their environment. The model posits that abuse is not triggered by a single mechanism but rather by various factors acting together at different levels of the social ecology. This paradigm is essential to comprehending gender-based violence (GBV) since it highlights risk factors and protective variables that keep people from being perpetrators or victims of GBV.
The paper applies the model, concentrating on the societal problems of gender-based violence. It highlights how a person's social environments and relationships are shaped by their family, friends, schools, communities, and society as a whole. According to Kelly (2011), there is no one cause of violence; instead, there are several causation levels within the ecological framework.The following diagram illustrates how the model offers a framework for identifying risk variables and how they interact:
Social Factors
The epidemic has made gender norms and other social injustices worse, which has made communities more tense and stressed. In addition to restricting access to support networks and fostering isolation, lockdown procedures and social distance may further raise the risk of GBV.
Community
Financial strains within communities may be exacerbated by economic instability and employment losses brought on by the pandemic. This might lead to an increase in household tensions and the development of GBV. The capacity of people to ask for assistance or flee abusive situations may also be hampered by stressed or damaged community support networks.
Institutions
Workplaces and schools have moved to virtual spaces or imposed social distancing policies, which has changed the dynamics of contact and may affect people's ability to access resources for reporting abuse or support. Disruptions to vital resources and services might also hinder victims' ability to seek assistance.
Interpersonal
Lockdown-related extended stays at home might intensify power dynamics in close relationships, increasing the likelihood of coercion, control, and violence. Abuse habits may become more entrenched if one is isolated from outside support systems.
Individual Factors
The pandemic's stress, uncertainty, and worry might aggravate pre-existing mental health conditions or drug addiction, raising the possibility of GBV victimization or perpetration. On the other hand, those who have robust coping strategies and support systems may be more capable of navigating and fending off abusive circumstances.
The Social-Ecological Model can be applied to GBV prevention initiatives during the COVID-19 pandemic, facilitating the identification of solutions that strengthen preventative measures and reduce violence. This approach is essential for effective gender based violence prevention and intervention efforts.
Research questions
1. How did COVID-19 and lockdown measures affect gender-based violence (GBV) in the Golden mining community?
2. What are the specific challenges faced by GBV survivors in post-pandemic times?
3. What are the community's perceptions and experiences regarding GBV prevention strategies?
4. What are the policy implications of the changing landscape of GBV post-pandemic?
5. How do different factors in the social ecology influence GBV in the Golden mining community?
Study area
The study was conducted in the community of Golden Valley, a mining community in the periphery of the Kadoma metropolitan city, Mashonaland West of Zimbabwe in the year 2022 in the month of June. The community is characterized by low income, poor infrastructure and illegal mining activities. Adults have low levels of formal education completion, high rates of unemployment, extreme deprivation, and insufficient access to basic amenities. The community is masculine-dominated and the associated work culture of mining often foster harmful gender norms, where women and vulnerable populations face risks of violence, discrimination, and marginalization. Deeply ingrained gender norms and traditional beliefs often perpetuate unequal power dynamics and normalize violence against women posing barriers to addressing GBV in the community.