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Do COVID-19 and Food Insecurity Influence Existing Inequalities between Women and Men in Africa?

Author

Listed:
  • Heather VanVolkenburg

    (Equal Contribution—Department of Biological Sciences, Brock University, 1812 Sir Isaac Brock Way, St. Catharines, ON L2S 3A1, Canada)

  • Isabelle Vandeplas

    (Center for International Studies and Cooperation (CECI), 3000 Omer-Lavallee, Montreal, QC H1Y 3R8, Canada)

  • Katim Touré

    (Département Economie et Sociologie Rurales, École Nationale Supérieure d’Agriculture (ENSA), Université Iba Der Thiam de Thiès, Thies BP A 296, Senegal)

  • Safiétou Sanfo

    (Laboratoire de Développement Agricole et Transformation de l’Agriculture (DATA), Université Thomas Sankara, Ouagadougou 03 BP 7210, Burkina Faso)

  • Fatoumata Lamarana Baldé

    (Center for International Studies and Cooperation (CECI), 3000 Omer-Lavallee, Montreal, QC H1Y 3R8, Canada)

  • Liette Vasseur

    (Equal Contribution—Department of Biological Sciences, Brock University, 1812 Sir Isaac Brock Way, St. Catharines, ON L2S 3A1, Canada)

Abstract

This review sought to understand what is currently known about how the ongoing COVID-19 pandemic and restrictive measures are affecting food security and equality between women and men in all of Africa. A review of both the academic and grey literature was performed by following PRISMA guidelines. Results showed that a general disparity exists in gender-inclusive/-sensitive research. Most reported increases in inequalities between women and men were predictive only. Evidence-based articles found were mainly conducted online and target tertiary educated populations, among which neutral effects were found. A general lack of disaggregated data (e.g., women vs. men) was found to be a barrier in gaining a complete understanding of the situation on-the-ground. Furthermore, documents reporting on food security seldom included all four pillars (i.e., availability, access, utility, stability) in their analysis despite the reciprocal connection between them all. Within household disparities and the impacts on power relationships within households were also overlooked. Future studies must focus on rural settings and gender disaggregated interview processes as well as consider all pillars of food security. Doing so will help to better inform governments and humanitarian groups leading to better designed policies and social supports that target where they are most needed.

Suggested Citation

  • Heather VanVolkenburg & Isabelle Vandeplas & Katim Touré & Safiétou Sanfo & Fatoumata Lamarana Baldé & Liette Vasseur, 2022. "Do COVID-19 and Food Insecurity Influence Existing Inequalities between Women and Men in Africa?," IJERPH, MDPI, vol. 19(4), pages 1-10, February.
    • Handle: RePEc:gam:jijerp:v:19:y:2022:i:4:p:2065-:d:748001
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    References listed on IDEAS

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    1. Donatella Gnisci, 2016. "Women's Roles in the West African Food System: Implications and Prospects for Food Security and Resilience," West African Papers 3, OECD Publishing.
    2. Palacios-Lopez, Amparo & Christiaensen, Luc & Kilic, Talip, 2017. "How much of the labor in African agriculture is provided by women?," Food Policy, Elsevier, vol. 67(C), pages 52-63.
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    7. Liette Vasseur & Heather VanVolkenburg & Isabelle Vandeplas & Katim Touré & Safiétou Sanfo & Fatoumata Lamarana Baldé, 2021. "The Effects of Pandemics on the Vulnerability of Food Security in West Africa—A Scoping Review," Sustainability, MDPI, vol. 13(22), pages 1-12, November.
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    1. Hamid El Bilali & Lawali Dambo & Jacques Nanema & Sheirita Reine Fanta Tietiambou & Iro Dan Guimbo & Romaric Kiswendsida Nanema, 2023. "Impacts of the COVID-19 Pandemic on Agri-Food Systems in West Africa," Sustainability, MDPI, vol. 15(13), pages 1-23, July.

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