COVID-19 and Development Organizations: a Frame Analysis - Perspectives on the pandemic and the position of rural women

Abstract

The impacts of the pandemic as a result of the outbreak of Coronavirus Disease 2019 (COVID-19) are widespread and diverse, some sectors are hit harder than others. This study offers a thorough examination of the impacts on women in agriculture and the different perspectives from a selection of development organizations upon these impacts, using a frame analysis to answer the question: “How are different development organizations presenting their perspectives towards the impacts of the measurements taken in response to COVID-19 on the position of rural women?”. It discusses what is being written and what is being done in response to these implications, with a focus towards the position of women to demonstrate existing frames. The data consists predominantly of articles published by organizations on their websites. The objective of the research was to find the existing frames in these articles regarding the positionality of women during the pandemic and understand them in order to address the issues at hand and to take this opportunity to learn from this unique crisis situation. The analysis shows that there are three main frames presented by the selected organizations with various approaches but similar goals. The overall collective agenda strives for building back better towards a society that is based on more inclusivity and sustainability, that offers improved positions and empowerment for women. Regarding the future of women in agriculture, these desired changes are dependent on policy implementations. Therefore, critical analysis and further research on the matters studied will contribute to a better and gendered understanding of the issues at hand so that the current knowledge gap can be closed and will contribute to policy recommendations. This research offers an addition to closing this knowledge gap by enclosing the research findings into feminist theories about positionality, othering and empowerment.