‘Atomic Bombs’ in Monrovia, Liberia
The Identity and Stigmatisation of Ebola Survivors
in Anthropology in ActionSearch for other papers by Emilie Venables in
Current site
Google Scholar
PubMed
All currencies in US Dollar
Abstract
Survivors of the Ebola virus have been widely profiled as the success stories of the outbreak, yet they still face challenges relating to their identity and reintegration. A survivor’s body takes on new meanings after experiencing Ebola, and the label ‘survivor’ is as problematic as it is celebratory. Using data conducted during fieldwork in Monrovia, Liberia, this article discusses the complex identities of Ebola survivors. In Monrovia, most of the stigma and discrimination relating to survivors was directed towards men, who were considered ‘atomic bombs’ because of concerns that they could transmit Ebola through sexual intercourse. Health promotion messages around sexual transmission were often misunderstood, and communities requested the quarantine of men to reduce what they felt was a threat to the wider community. Understanding the meanings and sources of such stigmatisation is necessary to be able to work with and support survivors through psychosocial care and health promotion activities.
Contributor Notes
Emilie Venables has been based in South Africa since 2009 upon completion of her MSc and PhD from the University of Edinburgh. She also holds an undergraduate degree in Social Anthropology from the University of Cambridge and an MSc in Development Studies from SOAS, University of London. Emilie is currently affiliated with the University of Cape Town in South Africa.
E-mail: emilie.venables@brussels.msf.org