Interrogating gendered exclusion of womxn in COVID-19 vaccination policies and practices in Southern Africa

Abstract

abstract In the wake of evolving strains and the tenacity of COVID-19 infections and fatalities, many governments have introduced vaccination policies to curb the spread of the virus. This public health move has raised new legal/constitutional, ethical and medical questions on the necessity and effectiveness of the vaccines. However, of particular significance to this paper are the gendered implications of vaccination programmes. This paper examines whether the current COVID-19 vaccination measures aggravate or challenge pre-existing gendered disparities, particularly in contexts like sub-Saharan Africa characterised by deeply entrenched political and socio-economic vulnerabilities. The paper draws on an intersectional analysis of current vaccination policies and programmes being implemented in selected Southern African countries, exploring how gender, as it intersects with sexuality, disability, and nationality status can threaten the inclusion of marginalised and at-risk populations, including womxn with disabilities, migrant womxn, and transgender womxn in vaccination programmes. It is argued that the gender-blind nature of the majority of vaccination policies and practices in Southern Africa seem to implicitly perpetuate existing structural exclusion of womxn, particularly those who belong to non-binary gender identities. This negatively affects the overall goal of the vaccination programmes to achieve herd immunity and lower COVID-19 infections and transmission.