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The Gendered Experience of Close to Community Providers during COVID-19 Response in Fragile Settings: A Multi-Country Analysis

Author

Listed:
  • Joanna Raven

    (Department of Public Health, Liverpool School of Tropical Medicine, Liverpool L3 5QA, UK)

  • Abriti Arjyal

    (HERD International, Kathmandu 44600, Nepal)

  • Sushil Baral

    (HERD International, Kathmandu 44600, Nepal)

  • Obindra Chand

    (HERD International, Kathmandu 44600, Nepal)

  • Kate Hawkins

    (Pamoja Communications, Brighton BN2 4AY, UK)

  • Lansana Kallon

    (College of Medicine and Allied Health Sciences, University of Sierra Leone, Freetown 00232, Sierra Leone)

  • Wesam Mansour

    (Department of Public Health, Liverpool School of Tropical Medicine, Liverpool L3 5QA, UK)

  • Ayuska Parajuli

    (HERD International, Kathmandu 44600, Nepal)

  • Kyu Kyu Than

    (Burnet Institute, Yangon 3004, Myanmar)

  • Haja Wurie

    (College of Medicine and Allied Health Sciences, University of Sierra Leone, Freetown 00232, Sierra Leone)

  • Rouham Yamout

    (Faculty of Health Sciences, American University of Beirut, Beirut P.O. Box 11-0236, Lebanon)

  • Sally Theobald

    (Department of Public Health, Liverpool School of Tropical Medicine, Liverpool L3 5QA, UK)

Abstract

Many countries, and particularly those including fragile contexts, have a shortage of formal health workers and are increasingly looking to close-to-community (CTC) providers to fill the gap. The experiences of CTC providers are shaped by context-embedded gender roles and relations. This qualitative research study in Lebanon, Nepal, Myanmar and Sierra Leone explored the gendered experiences of CTC providers during the COVID-19 pandemic in fragile settings. We used document review, in-depth interviews or focus group discussions with CTC providers, and key informant interviews with local stakeholders to generate in-depth and contextual information. The COVID-19-associated lockdowns and school closures brought additional stresses, with a gendered division of labour acutely felt by women CTC providers. Their work is poorly or not remunerated and is seen as risky. CTC providers are embedded within their communities with a strong willingness to serve. However, they experienced fractures in community trust and were sometimes viewed as a COVID-19 risk. During COVID-19, CTC providers experienced additional responsibilities on top of their routine work and family commitments, shaped by gender, and were not always receiving the support required. Understanding their experience through a gender lens is critical to developing equitable and inclusive approaches to support the COVID-19 response and future crises.

Suggested Citation

  • Joanna Raven & Abriti Arjyal & Sushil Baral & Obindra Chand & Kate Hawkins & Lansana Kallon & Wesam Mansour & Ayuska Parajuli & Kyu Kyu Than & Haja Wurie & Rouham Yamout & Sally Theobald, 2022. "The Gendered Experience of Close to Community Providers during COVID-19 Response in Fragile Settings: A Multi-Country Analysis," Social Sciences, MDPI, vol. 11(9), pages 1-21, September.
    • Handle: RePEc:gam:jscscx:v:11:y:2022:i:9:p:415-:d:912490
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    References listed on IDEAS

    as
    1. Steege, Rosalind & Taegtmeyer, Miriam & McCollum, Rosalind & Hawkins, Kate & Ormel, Hermen & Kok, Maryse & Rashid, Sabina & Otiso, Lilian & Sidat, Mohsin & Chikaphupha, Kingsley & Datiko, Daniel Gemec, 2018. "How do gender relations affect the working lives of close to community health service providers? Empirical research, a review and conceptual framework," Social Science & Medicine, Elsevier, vol. 209(C), pages 1-13.
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