Impact of Covid-19 on the Economic and Social Well-Being of Vendors Living with Disabilities in Norton
- Author
- Chibikwa, Lily. R
- Title
- Impact of Covid-19 on the Economic and Social Well-Being of Vendors Living with Disabilities in Norton
- Abstract
- The research aimed at investigating the impact of COVID-19 on the economic and social well-being of vendors living with disabilities. The Corona virus was first identified in China in late December 2019 as the primary cause of COVID-19, a human respiratory disease. The pandemic spread across continents in a rapid globalisation style, causing a state of panic, disrupting the political, social, economic, religious, and financial structures of the world. The virus affected all groups regardless of age, social status, gender or geographical location, including vulnerable individuals such as people living in poverty, the elderly, and people with disabilities. It led to the impositions of lockdowns in most countries around the world. The research used the qualitative methodology. Data analysis was done using themes formed during data collection. This research established that vendors with disabilities resorted to bribing security personnel and using fake ‘‘essential services’’ letters to gain access to the CBD and various agricultural food markets as survival strategies to counter the COVID-19 restrictions. Participants also revealed that despite the government announcing a ZW200 social protection grant per individual for the vulnerable groups of society in response to the pandemic, vendors living with disabilities did not receive any form of assistance from the government or from non-state actors such as Community Based Organisation and Faith Based Organisations. The COVID-19 restrictions negatively affected the economic and social well-being of these vendors as it restricted travelling, disrupted the food value chains and livelihoods, limited access to social services such as education and health care, and caused loss of income and assets. The researcher initially faced challenges in accessing the field due to restrictions imposed by the government on travelling and/or transport. The research employed the resilient theory as its theoretical framework to understand how vendors with disabilities navigated their way, adjusted and adapted in response to challenges caused by COVID-19 imposed lockdowns. The constant harassment of vendors by the security personnel within the CBD also disturbed the smooth flow of the interviews. The study recommends that in order minimize acts of corruption and extortion perpetrated against vendors with disabilities, the government of Zimbabwe, through relevant department and ministries should strengthen its social protection services to cater for vulnerable groups. Adequate funding of social protection is needed in the event of natural disasters such as the COVID-19 pandemic. The research further recommends that the department of Social Work maintain a proper register of all vulnerable groups to use in the event of pandemics or natural disasters.
- Date
- 2022
- Publisher
- BUSE
- Keywords
- COVID-19
- Supervisor
- N/A
- Item sets
- Department of Social Work
