Gender and the COVID-19 pandemic: exploring female vendors’ coping strategies in Lichtenburg during the lockdown
- Authors: Marumo, Mmaki Lesego
- Date: 2023-10-13
- Subjects: COVID-19 Pandemic, 2020- South Africa , Street vendors South Africa Lichtenburg , Adjustment , Informal economy , COVID-19 pandemic lockdown , Self-employed women South Africa Lichtenburg
- Language: English
- Type: Academic theses , Master's theses , text
- Identifier: http://hdl.handle.net/10962/425141 , vital:72214
- Description: The 2019 outbreak of the Coronavirus (COVID-19) in Wuhan, China, and its subsequent spread around the world caused uncertainty in the economy and other aspects of life. Most governments around the world took drastic measures to stop the spread of the virus and save lives. The most common of these measures were restrictions on people’s movement and trade. As a result, the world of work in South Africa changed dramatically, with over a million workers losing their jobs. That said, South Africa acutely felt the negative income effects of the COVID-19 pandemic. For those working in the informal economy, the five-week lockdown between March and May 2020 was a period of unprecedented insecurity and hunger, without work, income, or benefits. In light of the above, the study aimed to explore how female street vendors in Lichtenburg survived the impact of the COVID-19 national lockdown restrictions on trading activities between March 2020 and May 2020. The study sought to contribute to the understanding of the gendered impacts of the pandemic, particularly in relation to women in the informal economy, by examining the strategies and coping mechanisms adopted by them. Drawing on the sustainable livelihoods framework, this study examined the experiences of female street traders in Lichtenburg who were subjected to COVID-19 trade restrictions, assessed their coping strategies, and examined their support systems. The study was exploratory in nature, followed a qualitative approach, and adopted a case study design. Depending on the needs of the study, a purposive and convenience sampling techniques were chosen to address the research problem and questions. In order to explore women’s experiences on a specific topic, qualitative, semi-structured individual interviews were conducted with a sample of six female street vendors in Lichtenburg. The collected data were analysed using the thematic analysis technique. In this regard, the findings show that the perception upheld that the informal economy is an employment shock absorber during economic crises has been proven otherwise by the COVID-19 pandemic. The loss of profits led to a reduction in trading activities, which in turn increased the hardships of women street vendors. These vulnerability and hardships were made worse by the absence of government support structures since they were unable to navigate the procedures and had no one to turn to in times of need. As a result of the lack of formal channels of support and appropriate policy interventions, street vendors were particularly vulnerable to the financial consequences of the pandemic, resulting in an unpleasant reality of unsustainable livelihoods in the face of COVID-19. , Thesis (MA) -- Faculty of Humanities, Sociology, 2023
- Full Text:
A sociological exploration of whether culture inhibits comprehensive sexual education in schools: the case of urban schools in Mpika district of Zambia
- Authors: Nyoni, Kaliza
- Date: 2022-10-14
- Subjects: Sex instruction Zambia , Sex instruction Social aspects Zambia , Culture , High school students Attitudes , Sex educators Attitudes , Influence (Psychology) , Language and culture Zambia
- Language: English
- Type: Academic theses , Master's theses , text
- Identifier: http://hdl.handle.net/10962/406796 , vital:70308
- Description: This study investigated the impact and influence of culture in the provisioning of comprehensive sexuality education , the case of urban schools of Mpika district of Zambia. The specific objectives were to investigate the frameworks that inform the teaching of CSE in schools, explore ways in which influence of culture on the framework affects the leaners participation in learning CSE, explore the influence of cultural norms, metaphors, and values on that framework, explore whether cultural norms have an impact and influence on teachers and explore whether there is a discrepancy between cultural values and CSE. The methodology which was used in carrying out the research was descriptive research design and purposive sampling was used in which a sample of 21 respondents who are leaners were picked and 5 teachers who teach CSE were chosen. The interview schedule was used to collect data from the sample which was drawn. The data gathered was analysed using concepts and themes as well as observer impression. The findings of this research are that there is a framework that informs the teaching of CSE in schools whose aim is to curb school drop outs by reducing teen pregnancies and high infection rates of STIs and HIV/AIDS. The framework seeks to empower knowledge on the adolescents in relation to gender norms, rights in relationships and sexuality. The major findings of the research are that culture has an influence on the teachers and leaners. Of particular discovery is the use of symbols through charts which display human private parts. This is construed by the teachers and learners to be against their cultural beliefs. Furthermore, language that this subject uses is culturally seen to be too strong and vulgar , to both teachers and leaners. This study found out that open discussion in class of the topic on sexuality does not sit well with the leaners as it is against their cultural orientation. The research also found out that there are lessons in CSE that are beneficial to the learners such as , how to prevent contracting of STIs and HIV/AIDS and prevention of unwanted pregnancies. , Thesis (MA) -- Faculty of Humanities, Sociology, 2022
- Full Text:
Ukuba Ngabantu Abapheleleyo: Black Queer Space Making and the unfinished business of the Truth and Reconciliation Commission of South Africa
- Authors: Lupindo, Esihle
- Date: 2021-04
- Subjects: To be added
- Language: English
- Type: thesis , text , Masters , MSocSci
- Identifier: http://hdl.handle.net/10962/178479 , vital:42943
- Description: Access restricted until April 2023. , Thesis (MSocSci) -- Faculty of Humanities, Sociology, 2021
- Full Text:
Re-adjustment of masculinities and sexualities amongst first year male students at Rhodes University in the wake of the residence Consent Talk’s programme
- Authors: Ntisana, Thulani
- Date: 2020
- Subjects: Communication in higher education - South Africa -- Makhanda , Rape in universities and colleges -- South Africa -- Makhanda , Masculinity -- South Africa -- Makhanda , Male college students -- Social life and customs -- South Africa -- Makhanda , Male college students -- Sexual behavior -- South Africa -- Makhanda , Male college students -- Conduct of life -- South Africa -- Makhanda , Men -- Identity , Male domination (Social structure) , Patriarchy -- South Africa , Women -- Violence against -- South Africa , Social problems -- South Africa , Consent Talks , #RUreferencelist
- Language: English
- Type: text , Thesis , Masters , MA
- Identifier: http://hdl.handle.net/10962/148956 , vital:38790
- Description: This study seeks to understand how Rhodes University first-year male students adjusted and re-adjusted their masculinities and sexualities in light of the Consent Talk programme offered by the university, the aim of which is to liberate masculinities and femininities from patriarchal and dominant discourses. In the past 26 years, South Africa has seen an increase in academic research establishing causal links between boys, men, masculinities and a number of social ills such as the HIV/AIDs epidemic, violence against women, substance abuse, homophobia, gender-based violence and a lower pass rate amongst boys. This in turn inspired an increase in interventions seeking to involve boys and men in order to identify and address their role in combating gender based violence. These various forms of social deviances that have been linked to masculinity have indicated that young men's masculinity is in crisis and as a result needs great attention in order to address the social issues linked to them. Institutions of higher learning have proven to be microcosms of the larger society. Universities have become highly sexualised spaces; coercive sexual practices in heterosexual relationships are a norm, young women don't feel safe and have lost confidence in universities addressing their concerns. With the emergence of the #RUreferencelist in 2016, the spotlight fell on Rhodes University; young women challenged the rape culture and sexual assaults on campus. In 2016, staff members who are well-informed and educated on issues of gender, sexuality and rape initiated discussions with students in their residences; these discussions were later to be called the Consent Talks. This research makes use of Pierre Bourdieu’s critical theory in understanding how young men negotiate their masculinity within the field of higher education, at Rhodes University. Bourdieu’s three main concepts, field, habitus and capital are used to describe how young men negotiate their masculinity and how the field of gender intersects with the field of higher education. A qualitative paradigm has been employed. The study has collected data through the use of in-depth interviews to get a richer insight into the participants’ perspectives. There were 15 interviews conducted in total for this study, 14 were with first year male students, and one with a senior official of the University. The data was analysed through a qualitative thematic analysis. The findings of the research reveal that some of the participants were exposed to patriarchal and dominant forms of masculinity when growing up. However, most of the participants revealed they were also exposed to alternative masculinities. These were either taught or learnt at home, from family members, circumcision school, church or peers in society. Both the dominant and alternative masculinities were revealed in the discourses of what it means to be a man and in how the young men performed their masculinities. Furthermore, one of the major themes that emerged was that most of the young men in the study were raised by single mothers with mothers playing a significant role in encouraging healthy masculinities. The findings went on to reveal that families (mothers, fathers, older siblings and culture) play a role in socialising and shaping healthy masculinities. The acceptance or rejection of either dominant or alternative masculinities was influenced by an exposure to an environment that either encouraged or shunned either dominant or alternative masculinities. The findings further unveils that different societies are strongly identified with their own definitions of what it means to be a man and are not open to other definitions of masculinity. Moreover, most of the participants accepted the content of what was taught in the Consent Talks; however sought healthy participation, interaction and inclusion of female students. Lastly, the study has also revealed that knowledge of the consequences of breaking (the law) university’s policy does affect some change of behaviour in potential perpetrators.
- Full Text: