Ukuvula Isango: Women's Empowerment and Post-Pandemic Reconstruction in Rural South Africa

Abstract:

This project will be carried out by the Human Sciences Research Council in South Africa and McGill University Canada to address key issues related to the precarity of women in rural areas of South Africa during the COVID-19 pandemic as a starting point for post COVID-19 rebuilding. Using the ‘peoples science’ action approach in two phases, the team will document and explore women lives before and during the pandemic to identify trends and triggers that elevate or depreciate their livelihoods and health status. In the second phase, the project will use this analysis to explore strategies to enhance prevention in both the health and livelihood spheres.

Expected results

Expected results includes:

Expected results includes:

• Generation of locally sustainable strategies to future external shocks, such as pandemics, that are women-managed and are less dependent on the state and the biomedical system.
• Development of innovative approaches through the ‘co-production’ of solutions by local women and other stakeholders that will “rebuild better” public health and livelihood strategies.