Gender-based violence and women’s vulnerability as a shadow pandemic in Zimbabwe

Abstract

Since the beginning of the COVID-19 pandemic, particularly during lockdown periods, there has been an astronomic leap in cases of  gender-based violence (GBV) globally. This escalation has been characterised as a “shadow pandemic” or a “second pandemic”.  Although erstwhile studies revealed a correlation between Violence against Women and times of crisis, little attention has been paid to  the Zimbabwean context, which showed a worrying increase in cases as well. Using a qualitative lens, this paper interrogates women’s  vulnerability to GBV under the COVID-19 lockdown in Hwange, Victoria Falls and Chipinge. Specifically, it explores the participants'  understanding of gender-based violence (GBV), records the elements that contribute to women's greater susceptibility to GBV during pandemics, and assesses the availability and effectiveness of the GBV referral system during lockdown. It guarantees that participants  comprehend the definition of GBV and its many manifestations. Anecdotes demonstrate that social media has a crucial impact on  women's comprehension of the notion. Participants agree that societal cultural norms and gender disparity are the primary factors  contributing to gender-based violence. The women's situation deteriorated during the lockdown due to limited mobility, poverty, and  inadequate communication. The study reveals that decreased social capital hindered women's ability to seek help from family members,  social networks, and other support systems. It is necessary to include gender-based violence (GBV) in emergency programs. Specifically,  there is an urgent need for countries to invest in sufficient information communication technology infrastructure, broad-based policies  and planning, social safety nets and healthcare support systems to manage the incidence of GBV against women in future pandemics.