The Game Changer: An Exposition of Changes in Gender Roles in Shona Communities During and After the Wave of COVID-19 in Zimbabwe

Abstract

The Covid-19 pandemic, which reached Zimbabwe's borders in March 2020, precipitated significant life-changing events. Traditionally, men and women had clearly defined gender roles that were culturally expected of each group. The introduction of Christianity and the influence of Western civilizations further altered these roles over time. However, it was not until March 2020 that the Zimbabwean community faced another transformative force: Covid-19. This pandemic introduced a 'new normal' that significantly impacted gender roles, particularly for women. This paper analyses how the phase of COVID-19 in Zimbabwe has reshaped these roles. It employs Afrocentricity and Africana womanism as frameworks for examining these changes. Qualitative research aspects were also used to gather and analyze the data. The findings brought to the fore the evolving gender roles and their implications for Shona women. The research reveals that the COVID-19 pandemic has significantly increased women's responsibilities. They have taken on additional roles, including caring for ill family members, searching for various remedies for ailments, and stepping into the father figure role after the loss of their husbands. It has also been highlighted that the additional gender roles brought about by the pandemic continue to be perpetuated in the contemporary community.