Gendered Impacts of Responses to the Covid

The COVID -19 pandemic in Kenya is unfolding in a context in which gender is socially and culturally constructed. The construction of gender that existed before the onslaught of COVID-19 is informing the way in which the pandemic affects men and women. Indeed, men and women are experiencing the pandemic in different ways. The government has taken varied measures to contain the pandemic and mitigate its adverse effects. These measures have however been generally framed in gender neutral...
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The COVID -19 pandemic in Kenya is unfolding in a context in which gender is socially and culturally constructed. The construction of gender that existed before the onslaught of COVID-19 is informing the way in which the pandemic affects men and women. Indeed, men and women are experiencing the pandemic in different ways. The government has taken varied measures to contain the pandemic and mitigate its adverse effects. These measures have however been generally framed in gender neutral terms. This ignores the fact that the pandemic and the measures taken by the government to address it are gendered and produce different outcomes for men and women. The framing of responses in gender neutral terms limits their capacity to contain the pandemic and mitigate its adverse impacts. Women have historically been disadvantaged and borne the brunt of gender discrimination and inequality thus it is important to analyze how existing forms of gender inequality affect women's experiences of the pandemic. Further, COVID-19 is revealing specific ways in which men suffer discrimination on the basis of their gender, hence highlighting the importance of analyzing the impact of the pandemic using masculinity as a lens. Using several theoretical approaches and drawing from discussions with different stakeholders, this paper analyses the government of Kenya responses to the COVID-19 pandemic and reveals the ways in which those responses are gendered. It further makes proposals on how Kenya can be better prepared to address future pandemics and disasters, by addressing current forms of gender inequality and adopting gender analyses in interventions.