What question did this study set out to answer?

To examine how intersecting individual, interpersonal, community, and societal factors shaped women's lived experiences and perceptions during the COVID-19 pandemic.

August 16, 2026Global Public Health0 citationsOpen Access

Impact of the COVID-19 Pandemic on Gender Inequalities, Stigma, and Caregiving

‘COVID kills, and it's not joking around’: Perceptions and experiences of COVID-19 in Soweto, South Africa

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Authors

SMSostina S. Matina ECEmmanuel Cohen KMKebogile Mokwena

Discussion

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Overview

Mixed-methods study reveals heightened caregiving stress, social stigma, and institutional distrust among urban women during lockdowns, highlighting the need for multi-level public health responses.

Key Points

To examine how intersecting individual, interpersonal, community, and societal factors shaped women's lived experiences and perceptions during the COVID-19 pandemic.
Conducted 25 qualitative in-depth interviews in 2021 complemented by descriptive survey data from 204 women collected between 2020 and 2021 in Soweto, South Africa.
Applied inductive thematic analysis guided by the socio-ecological model across multiple social levels.
Women carried essential caregiving responsibilities while facing acute stress related to infection risk, gender-based violence, isolation, and economic deprivation.
COVID-19-related stigma disrupted interpersonal relationships and community cohesion, while intensified distrust in public institutions fueled vaccine hesitancy.
Widespread civil unrest and looting during lockdowns emerged as forms of collective resistance driven by structural neglect and basic survival needs.

Cite This Study

Matina et al. (2026) studied this question.

synapsesocial.com/papers/6a817980f2fb91fc834aca68 https://doi.org/10.1080/17441692.2026.2717794

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August 16, 2026Global Public Health0 citationsOpen Access

Impact of the COVID-19 Pandemic on Gender Inequalities, Stigma, and Caregiving

‘COVID kills, and it's not joking around’: Perceptions and experiences of COVID-19 in Soweto, South Africa

View Full Paper

Ask AI

Bookmark

Authors

SMSostina S. Matina ECEmmanuel Cohen KMKebogile Mokwena

Discussion

Member takes

Overview

Mixed-methods study reveals heightened caregiving stress, social stigma, and institutional distrust among urban women during lockdowns, highlighting the need for multi-level public health responses.

Key Points

To examine how intersecting individual, interpersonal, community, and societal factors shaped women's lived experiences and perceptions during the COVID-19 pandemic.
Conducted 25 qualitative in-depth interviews in 2021 complemented by descriptive survey data from 204 women collected between 2020 and 2021 in Soweto, South Africa.
Applied inductive thematic analysis guided by the socio-ecological model across multiple social levels.
Women carried essential caregiving responsibilities while facing acute stress related to infection risk, gender-based violence, isolation, and economic deprivation.
COVID-19-related stigma disrupted interpersonal relationships and community cohesion, while intensified distrust in public institutions fueled vaccine hesitancy.
Widespread civil unrest and looting during lockdowns emerged as forms of collective resistance driven by structural neglect and basic survival needs.

Cite This Study

Matina et al. (2026) studied this question.

synapsesocial.com/papers/6a817980f2fb91fc834aca68 https://doi.org/10.1080/17441692.2026.2717794

View Full Paper

Ask AI

Bookmark