A Photo-Elicitation Study of Infrastructure Related Vulnerabilities, Fears, and Gender-based Violence Experienced by Women in a Mining Community: A Case Study of Patchway Mine, Mashonaland West Province, Zimbabwe

Using a photo-elicitation study conducted in Patchway Mine, Mashonaland West Province, Zimbabwe, the author sought insights about the vulnerability to and fear of gender-based violence that women experience where there is inadequate infrastructure to protect them. A participatory qualitative methodological technique was utilised in the study to comprehend and collect empirical data. Twenty female participants used photography for photo elicitation interviews (PEI), depicting their experiences and providing narratives to complement the images. Recurring themes and patterns in the data were discovered using thematic analysis. The findings underscore how vulnerable and afraid women are in a context where there is poor housing, transportation, light, and community spaces. The study emphasises the need for gender-responsive infrastructure development and targeted interventions. It advocates for prioritising safety, accessibility, and inclusive infrastructure planning and implementation, emphasising the need to involve women in decision-making processes that address their specific needs and concerns. Finally, the study highlights the urgent need for targeted strategies to address challenges encountered by women in areas where inadequate infrastructure is escalating instances of gender-based violence.