The Aftermath of Ebola

On November 7^th of this year, Sierra Leone was officially declared Ebola free.  While this is cause for celebration, it is important to look at who is still suffering from the disease’s impacts.  Unbeknownst to me, women and girls are suffering greatly from the aftermath of Ebola in Sierra Leone. Broadly (which has quickly become one of my favorite websites) recently wrote an article on how women and girls are coping from social and economic exclusion after Ebola here.

In their article, they quote women who survived the deadly disease only to find they are still suffering. One of the more troubling stories in this article details the survival of Isatu. Prior to becoming ill with Ebola, she worked as a fishmonger. Her sister, parents, and two children had died from the disease. After her hospitalization, she assumed she still had her business to carry her through. Unfortunately, she realized authorities burned her business and all of her possessions leaving her with nothing. With no money, no family, and no business to carry her through Isatu is an outcast in her society and her survival status creates negative perceptions and stigmas from her community.

"Many female survivors have no one. And no one wants them."

 

Isatu and her cousin holding their survivor certificates

The article is dotted with multiple stories and examples of stigmas that women have faced since becoming Ebola survivors. Husbands have left their wives because of the shame that the disease carries leaving women to survive alone. Girls have had to leave school and many have found it difficult to find work. I found myself thinking of the Body Politics book we read and how the policing of reproductive or “disabled” bodies helps certain institutions control people.

How are women’s bodies being controlled in Sierra Leone after they have survived Ebola? Their possessions are being burned, their husbands are leaving them, and society is fearful of them. These sorts of actions strip women of their power because they are seen as sick, weak, and unable to contribute to the community. Unable to seek economic assistance because of social exclusion, women who have survived are marked as different, ultimately affecting their bodily experiences.

It is entirely possible that I have stretched the connection too far (it is finals week after all). However, I would be interested in following this story to see if any development organizations are helping these women combat stigmas attached to their survival status. I would also be interested in seeing solutions that are not focused on empowering women with economic advancement strategies.