African Women, COVID-19, Religion and Mental Health

Anniegrace Mapangisana Hlatywayo (Ph.D) is a lecturer at the Midlands State University, Zimbabwe, under the Faculty of Arts, Department of Religious Studies and Ethics. She is also a Research Fellow at the Research Institute for Theology and Religion, College of Humanities, University of South Africa. Anniegrace has participated in international research projects. She has experience in research and publication; postgraduate training; community engagement initiatives and project management, monitoring and evaluation. Her research niche revolves around the areas of Indigenous Knowledge Systems, Religion and Sustainable Development, HIV and AIDS and Religion and Gender.Macloud Sipeyiye (PhD) is a Senior Lecturer in the Department of Religious Studies and Ethics of the Midlands State University, Zimbabwe. He is also a Research Fellow with the Research Institute for Theology and Religion (RITR) in the College of Human Sciences, University of South Africa (UNISA). Sipeyiye has also researched and presented papers at local and international conferences. He has published several peer reviewed book chapters and journal articles focusing on the intersection of religion & spirituality and contemporary development issues that include health, environmental sustainability and peace & conflict transformation.Canisius Mwandayi (Ph.D) is currently a senior lecturer in the Institute of Theology and Religious Studies, Africa University, Zimbabwe. He is also an Academic Associate/Research Fellow at the Research Institute for Theology and Religion (RITR) in the College of Human Sciences, University of South Africa (UNISA). His research interests include: Intersections between Old Testament and African cultures, Death related issues, Women theologies and women agency in dealing with contemporary challenges.Sophia Chirongoma (Ph.D) is currently an independent researcher. She is also a Research Fellow at the Research Institute for Theology and Religion (RITR) at the University of South Africa. She is also an active member of the Circle of Concerned African Women Theologians. Her research interests and publications focus on the interface between culture, ecology, religion, health, development, and gender justice.

• Part 1. Factors Impacting on Women’s Mental Health in Zimbabwe during the Era of Pandemics .- Chapter 1. Introduction: African Women, COVID-19, Religion and Mental Health : An African Religious Interventionist Perspective.- Chapter 2. Conspiracy theories during pandemics and their impact on African women’s mental health: A moral and ethical dilemma.- Chapter 3. Unsung Heroines of World Pandemics: Women Caregivers in an African Setting with Special Reference to Zimbabwe.- Part II. Case studies on Zimbabwean Women’s experiences of COVID-19 Induced Mental Health Challenges .- Chapter 4. Women, Bible, COVID-19, mental health in Africa and the diaspora: A case of Nemanwa Growth Point of Masvingo District, Zimbabwe.- Chapter 5. Impact of COVID-19 on Women’s Ministries, A Platform for Mental Health 80 xii Dialogues: A Case Study of the Apostolic Faith Mission (AFM) Church in Zvishavane, Zimbabwe.- Chapter 6. Communal Support, Faith and Resilience: The ELCZ Western Diocese’s Response to Women, COVID-19 and Mental Health.- Chapter 7. Women in African Instituted Churches’ response to COVID-19 induced Mental Health challenges: A study of the Zion Christian Church and Johanne Masowe Churches in Masvingo town, Zimbabwe.- Chapter 8. The impact of long COVID on Women Survivors’ Mental Health and Welfare: A Case Study of 20 women in Zimbabwe.- Chapter 9. The Intersectionality of Women, Family Life and Mental Health Challenges in Africa during COVID-19 Era: A Case Study of Gweru District High Density Suburbs in Zimbabwe.- Part III. Indigenous Resources and Women’s Mental Health during the COVID-19 Era in Zimbabwe .- Chapter 10. Musha Mukadzi and Religio-Cultural Expectations: An Appraisal of Women and COVID-19 Induced Mental Health Challenges in Zimbabwe.- Chapter 11. COVID-19 and Women’s Mental Health in Zimbabwe: Insights from the Ukama/Ubuhlobo (Relatedness) Ethic.- Chapter 12. Stigma and Discrimination of Female Caregivers for Mentally Ill Women: A Theological Reflection on the Shona People’s Perspectives on Mental Health.- Chapter 13. Of indigenous Spirituality, Women and Mental Health in the Context of Climate change and Covid-19 among the Shona.- Part IIII. Lessons learnt from the COVID-19 Induced Mental Health Challenges .- Chapter 14. COVID-19 and Gender-based violence against girls in Zimbabwe: Re-thinking Parenthood and Women’s Mental Health.- Chapter 15. COVID-19’s Shadow: Mental Health and Older Women in Botswana – A Pastoral Response.- Chapter 16. Stigma and Mental Health Challenges Endured by Young Adult Women with Albinism during the COVID-19 Pandemic in Buhera District, Zimbabwe: A Liberationist Hermeneutical Reading of Psalm 10:17-18. Chapter 17. Positing Literary Arts as Part of Healing in the Face of a Pandemic: An Analysis of Selected Literary Writings by Zimbabwean Women.- Chapter 18. Stress Management Strategies Used during the COVID-19 Pandemic: A Case Study of a Teacher Education Institution in Zimbabwe.- Chapter 19. Online Professional Counselling on Mitigating Depression among Bikita Rural Females Post COVID-19 Pandemic Era: An Appraisal of Challenges and Solutions.- Chapter 20. Pastoral Counselling and Women’s Mental Health during the COVID-19 Pandemic in Zimbabwe.