The Effects of COVID-19 on gender, children, and household relationships in Tanzania

ABSTRACT

Background: The COVID-19 pandemic has disrupted family routines, relationships, projects, and sociability giving rise to multiple outcomes threatening the health, income, social cohesion, and well-being of individuals and their families. This study aimed to qualitatively evaluate the effects of COVID-19 pandemic on gender and household relationships in Tanzania. Method(s) This was a cross-sectional study conducted in Dar es Salaam, Unguja and Pemba employing multi-stage exploratory sequential mixed-method study design. Data were collected through key informant interviews, focus group discussions and semi-structured interviews. Participants were national, regional and district officials, community health volunteers, influential persons, traditional healers, traditional birth attendants, community members, community leaders and health workers. Information collected focused on the effect of COVID-19 control measures on gender, children, and household relationships. Result(s) Overall, the findings demonstrated a breadth of responses. Many families reported increased gender-based violence, children engaging in child labour, household conflicts due to economic hardship and strained family relationships. In contrast, some positive benefits were reported to include strengthened household relationships, as movement restriction provided ample time for family to stay together during the day. Parents had much time with their partners and children when COVID-19 control measures were in place. Conclusion(s) Although Tanzania implemented COVID-19 control measures without exercising total lockdown, the pandemic had substantial effects on gender-based violence and household relationships. The results call for the need for the government and other stakeholders to strengthen the social welfare interventions in response to epidemics and other emergencies.