Gendered understanding of Ebola crisis in Sierra Leone. Lessons for COVID-19

This case study provides evidence in response to the research question: “How did males and females in the bottom of the socio-economic hierarchy i.e. rural poor, respond to the 2014/2015 Ebola outbreak in Sierra Leone?” This case study focuses on the following research sub-questions: • Caretaking Responsibilities: What kind of additional burdens were placed on rural men and women who took on the responsibility for orphaned children? • Income Earnings: How did market closures and restrictions on movements affect income earnings of males and females in the rural area? Based on the analysis of the Ebola crisis on rural poor men and women income and caretaking responsibilities highlighted in this case study, we can state that most women bore the costs of caretaking responsibilities. However, both women and men of Sierra Leone bore serious socio-economic costs at the level of their productive labor (income in this case study).

The international community is presently dealing with the effect of the COVID-19 pandemic on marginalized communities, and the outcomes are still unknown. This brief case study helps to understand the gendered outcomes of previous public health epidemics in the context of social stratification. It is likely that many international humanitarian organizations will eventually aim at building economic and social resilience of impoverished communities with the focus on specific needs of different genders. An evidence from previous public health crises on the economy can help design the most efficient program interventions.