The Hidden Multi-Faced Impact of COVID-19 Outbreak and its Containment Measures on Children and Women in Somalia

Abstract

Since the declaration of a global pandemic in March 2020, COVID-19 and its containment measures have led to severe challenges for children and women.\xa0 However, the degree of this multifaceted impact of the containment is yet to be investigated. This study provides key findings based on large cross-sectional data collected from 1,569 adults and 456 children across Somalia. A representative sample of respondents was randomly selected using a multi-stage sampling technique from the most vulnerable segment of the population. This data was collected from mid-July to mid-August in 2020 a few months from the date the first case was reported in the country. The impact of the containment measures on food security, health, nutrition, education, and protection of women and children was analysed using descriptive and empirical models. While the binary logistic regression model was used to estimate the probability of women and children experiencing food insecurity and the likelihood of experiencing limited access to the justice system. COVID-19 presented grave economic and psychological stress to the community, women, and children. Four in 10 women reported increased incidents of Intimate Partner Violence (IPV) and limited access to food and justice during the COVID-19 outbreak. Children and women living in Internally Displaced People (IDP) centres and refugees are most vulnerable to the negative impact of COVID-19. On average 2 girls, and as many as 15 girls were circumcised in a one-month period since the outbreak started. Food access and availability were further deteriorated by the impact of COVID-19 with 46% of respondents indicated they were not able to provide for their basic needs. Twenty-two percent of respondents faced the worst form of food insecurity where the family had to go a whole day and night without eating anything and 62% of respondents lost income-generating activities. About 20% of respondents feared contracting the virus and 5% indicated social isolation associated with COVID-19 among the challenges. Two-in-five (40%) patients indicated a lack of availability of medicine at the health centre. One-in-ten women faced barriers to accessing healthcare or medication. One-in-three of the malnourished children didn’t access treatment.The binary logistic analysis indicated a significant positive relationship between the type of settlement and the probability of being food insecure or the probability of anxiety related to safety. Women and children living in IDP centres, the less educated, those depending on self-employment/informal sectors, and those with children under 5 years are more likely to be food insecure and feel anxious about the safety of their children and women.