Exploring the vulnerabilities of homeless women in the Sisters’ of Mercy Homeless Shelter during the COVID-19 pandemic in Johannesburg

Abstract

Abstract Background: Homelessness has multiple physical, psychological and emotional effects on those who have experienced it. In addition to directly harming public health, the lockdown measures put in place at the COVID-19 pandemic's peak to stop the virus's transmission had severe negative repercussions on the social, psychological, and economic spheres, especially for homeless women. There is a deficiency in South African literature that examines the distinct health, economic and social challenges that homeless women experienced during the COVID-19 pandemic. Aim: To explore and understand the vulnerabilities of homeless women in the Sisters’ of Mercy Homeless Shelter during the COVID-19 pandemic. Methodology: The study was driven by a qualitative inquiry. To decide on the participants, non-probability purposive sampling was employed. One-on-one, in-depth interviews with twelve homeless women who lived in the Sisters of Mercy homeless shelter were used to gather data. Face-to-face interviews were conducted using an interview schedule that was translated to isiZulu and Sesotho to gather data, which was then thematically analysed. To take into consideration ethics in this research, the researcher was aware that subjects were real people whose rights and dignity must always be respected, and protection of their confidentiality was significant. The researcher kept the written notes inside a lockable cabinet and the recorded data was kept in the researcher’s computer under a folder that required a password, this ensured trustworthiness which is the integrity of qualitative findings. Findings: Five broad themes and sixteen subthemes emerged from the data collected. Findings indicated that women who participated in this study missed hospital appointments and their healthcare needs were unmet, because of overcrowding and prioritization of those infected with Coronavirus in hospitals. This exacerbated chronic illness because they could not afford transport and administration fees linked with their health care needs. Their inability to pay these costs, was attributed to their loss of income during the pandemic. such circumstances, endured anxiety, depression and other psychological forms of distress. The study further found that those at the Sisters of Mercy Homeless Shelter, had to vacate the shelter during the day, which resulted in little access to water which consequently affected their hygiene and sanitization of their hands. Amidst the COVID19 pandemic, the individuals involved in this study were totally displaced from the shelter, which resulted in many having to secure alternative shelter. The findings further indicated that the participants who were employed in feminized sectors such as retail, food, hospitality and as domestic workers, suddenly lost their jobs during the pandemic. Hence, the study found that for many, their greatest fear was that of starvation as opposed to contracting coronavirus. Income losses, food insecurities and future uncertainties were coupled with greater depression, loneliness and anxiety. Participants depended on social workers and other charitable organizations for social support, emotional support and psychological support to survive the challenges linked with homelessness. However, the study found that such support was not available during the lockdown. Lockdown regulations dictated a limited amount of physical contact and the participants were expected to communicate with social workers online which they found not helpful. A charitable organization that provided them with instrumental support such as food, clothes and toiletries was also closed, thereby exacerbating their plight. The mitigating strategy of social distancing and self-isolation, also exacerbated gender-based violence especially amongst vulnerable homeless women, who reported that they became victims of frustrated unemployed male partners. The participants alluded that even before the pandemic as homeless women, they received limited protection and support from the police department. Conclusion: The findings suggested that the unique gender experience for homeless women was exacerbated during the COVID-19 pandemic. The importance of the study was that it acknowledged that participants had feelings of uncertainty about the future, and they believed that the repercussions of the pandemic would still hit them hard even in the future. Social workers and healthcare workers should be conscientized about the vulnerabilities of homeless women, so that they may consciously remove the stigma, and take the initiative to support them. To ensure that homeless women cope with the post pandemic crisis, it is recommended that homeless women be equipped with skills and training that will make them employable or self-employed.