Key Measures to Minimise Economic Impact of Covid-19 Restrictions

Naturally, crises exacerbate existing gender inequalities, exclusion and discriminative practices, and the vulnerable groups are highly likely to be more adversely affected by the outbreak and the consequences of the response. Emerging evidence on the impact of Covid-19 suggests that women’s economic and productive lives have been affected disproportionately in comparison to men. This is because women earn less, save less, and are more likely to be employed in the informal sector. Their capacity to absorb economic shocks is therefore less than that of men.5

Women are also the majority of frontline health workforce and caregivers and therefore at higher risk. Cultural factors may restrict women’s access to information and services, and some women may be particularly affected e.g. older women living alone. Isolation may also lead to an increased risk of violence in the home. Young women and girls are at high risk of many forms of domestic and gender-based violence during the pandemic. Young people are already among the most affected by the socio-economic impacts of Covid-19. In addition to losing employment, closure of businesses, and keeping away from schools and universities, the youth are also at high risk

5 United Nations (2020) Policy Brief: The Impact of COVID-19 on Women, available at: https://www.un.org/sites/un2.un.org/files/ policy_brief_on_covid_impact_on_women_9_april_2020.pdf. of increased anxiety and mental health problems. Additionally, the youth make up more than 30% of the migrants and refugees’ population who are likely to be disproportionately affected due to limited movement and fewer employment opportunities occasioned by the pandemic. Persons with disability (PWDs) have been left without vital support and advocacy due to social distancing. The majority of PWDs in SUED Municipalities operate small businesses in market centres, which have been adversely affected therefore experience livelihood loss. For PWDs that rely on their hands for walking and are sole bread winners, the question of not touching surfaces is not applicable and they therefore are at a higher risk of being infected with Covid-19.

Street Families are highly exposed to the danger of the virus because they lack shelter. Many of them rely on market centres where they ferry goods for a wage, and with the closure of markets they have lost livelihoods.

1.1 This Study

This study has been developed in response to FCDO’s invitation to consider ways the SUED programme can support selected municipalities in their efforts to address Covid-19 challenges. The aim is to understand the issues local communities face and identify those who are mostly impacted by restrictions imposed by the pandemic response locally. The impact assessment has been based on qualitative information mainly through stakeholder engagement (telephone interviews) and quantitative information where available to understand effects on the wider community (including vulnerable groups) as well as the Municipality and businesses.

The second part of the study presents potential solutions and how these can be implemented to support local communities. The focus is on measures that can support social distancing in Kisii and enable continuation of economic activity and facilitation of access to essential goods and services.

Finally, the last part of the study derives lessons for long-term planning and resilience for potential future crises such as Covid-19.