In a fragile state like the Democratic Republic of the Congo (DRC), the COVID-19 crisis highlights the structural inequalities that exist in all areas: from health and the economy to security and social protection. COVID-19 has created a number of upheavals in the daily life of the Congolese in general and in certain subgroups more than others. These upheavals have affected several aspects, such as on access to resources
and work, norms and beliefs, laws and institutions
Presented here are the preliminary findings of a study that focused on analyzing and understanding the effects of COVID-19 on gender in the DRC. The aim of this Project is to mitigate the spread and negative consequences of the pandemic through the development of practical tools that help to raise awareness about inequalities between the sexes and to remedy these in real time. The preliminary findings show that interventions by institutions, and healthcare and religious structures (including the offices of liberal pastors – not attached to a church), but also certain norms and beliefs have had impacts on the risk of infection and vulnerability, management of the disease/illness and patients, healthcare and medical services structures, social life, the economy, and physical and emotional security in the DRC.
