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By May Chazan

What will happen when grandmothers die? Unpacking the Gender and Generational Implications of AIDS among Street Traders in Durban, South Africa. By May Chazan. Carleton University, Ottawa, Canada HEARD, University of KwaZulu-Natal, Durban, South Africa.

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By May Chazan

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  1. What will happen when grandmothers die?Unpacking the Gender and Generational Implications of AIDS among Street Traders in Durban, South Africa By May Chazan Carleton University, Ottawa, Canada HEARD, University of KwaZulu-Natal, Durban, South Africa XVI International AIDS Conference, Toronto, August 2006

  2. Grandmothers: Unrecognized and Indispensable “I am a guardian to all of them; they come to my house and I take care of them. I will be the one to take care of the orphans…” - Grandmother in Durban supporting 18 family members XVI International AIDS Conference Chazan (2006), ‘Grandmothers’

  3. Purpose and Outline Purpose: To examine the gender and generational implications of AIDS among street traders in Warwick Junction, Durban, South Africa, highlighting the key roles and particular vulnerabilities of older women. Outline: • Research context • Demographic data • Highlights of ethnographic research with street traders • Gender and generational implications XVI International AIDS Conference Chazan (2006), ‘Grandmothers’

  4. The Research Context:Street Traders in Warwick Junction, South Africa • 8000 traders serving 500 000 commuters • 40.7 % antenatal clinic HIV prevalence • Poverty; migrancy;70% women XVI International AIDS Conference Chazan (2006), ‘Grandmothers’

  5. Female mortality in South Africa 1997-2004 35000 1997 1998 1999 2000 30000 2001 2002 2003 2004 25000 20000 Number 15000 10000 5000 0 0-4 5-9 90+ 80-84 85-89 25-29 30-34 35-39 40-44 45-49 50-54 55-59 60-64 65-69 10-14 15-19 20-24 70-74 75-79 Age group Source: Statistics South Africa Rising Mortality Among Young Women in South Africa XVI International AIDS Conference Chazan (2006), ‘Grandmothers’

  6. Grandmothers in Warwick Junction: Vulnerabilities and Impacts “I’m talking about it because it is something that’s happening to me. I am talking about my kids. I take them to the clinic; I take home condoms. But they don’t listen, they are still taking risks. I suspect my son has it. But how am I supposed to help if he won’t get tested?” -- Grandmother supporting 9 children and grandchildren XVI International AIDS Conference Chazan (2006), ‘Grandmothers’

  7. Grandmothers in Warwick Junction: Vulnerabilities and Impacts • Financial burdens • Displacement • Personal illness and fears for the future • 4. Emotional stresses XVI International AIDS Conference Chazan (2006), ‘Grandmothers’

  8. 42 Sister Nieces 50 Niece 5 27 23 21 9 16 11 Grandmothers in Warwick Junction: Household Map, Dec 2002 Children Income earner Grandchildren F M 5 yrs old 5 XVI International AIDS Conference Chazan (2006), ‘Grandmothers’

  9. Grandmothers in Warwick Junction: Household Map, Dec 2004 Sick, moved in Sick, pregnant x 44 Sister – sick, lost job 52 Nieces/ Nephew Moved in Niece x 7 29 25 23 11 18 13 x Passed away Changes Income earner XVI International AIDS Conference Chazan (2006), ‘Grandmothers’

  10. Grandmothers in Warwick Junction: Household Map, Dec 2005 Sick x x Sick 45 Sister – sick 53 Niece x x 9 30 25 23 12 19 14 x Passed away Changes Moved in Income earner XVI International AIDS Conference Chazan (2006), ‘Grandmothers’

  11. Grandmothers in Warwick Junction: Sibongile’s Story • Over 3.5 years: • From 15 to 19 members in household • From 3 to 1 income earners • Income diminishing due to personal illness • Lost 4 children • Absorbed responsibility for 2 orphans • Cared for 6 people, all seriously ill XVI International AIDS Conference Chazan (2006), ‘Grandmothers’

  12. Looking Forward… What will happen when today’s grandmothers die? Female mortality in South Africa 1997-2004 35000 30000 25000 20000 Number 15000 10000 5000 0 5-9 90+ 0-4 80-84 85-89 25-29 30-34 35-39 40-44 45-49 50-54 55-59 75-79 10-14 15-19 20-24 60-64 65-69 70-74 Age group XVI International AIDS Conference Chazan (2006), ‘Grandmothers’

  13. What to do?Recognition and Support for Grandmothers • Livelihood generation • Accessible ARVs • Counseling and psychosocial support • Accessible information • Social transfers – a basic income grant • Research, recognition and respect XVI International AIDS Conference Chazan (2006), ‘Grandmothers’

  14. Thanks to • The International Development Research Centre Ecohealth Programme Initiative, Canada • The Social Science and Humanities Research Council of Canada • The Health Economics and HIV/ AIDS Research Division, South Africa for funding and supporting this research. Special thanks to all those who participated in and assisted with this research in Durban XVI International AIDS Conference Chazan (2006), ‘Grandmothers’

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