Coronavirus impact on gender equality

IWD 2021 Monday 8 March is highlighting problems facing women in every country.  At work and in the home, the pandemic is making things worse.

At work.  Commenting on its Women In Work Index 2021, business services group PWC says: “The damage could take years to repair. Progress for women in work is back at 2017 levels due to COVID-19. Full recovery by 2030 is only possible if we double the rate of historical progress.”(1)

In the home. UN Women global research shows women are doing significantly more domestic chores and family care, because of the pandemic. “Everything we worked for, that has taken 25 years, could be lost in a year.” (2)

Childcare.  Human Rights Watch raised the long-term issue of responsibility for child care.  Who would look after children when schools and childcare facilities closed?  “It was clear immediately that the Covid-19 pandemic would hit women hardest?”  “Who would nag them to attend their online class (if they had one)?  Women, mostly.” (3)

Local Clients.  More women than men normally ask Citizens Advice Reigate and Banstead for help.  On most primary issues the commonest split by far is around  60/40.  To date in 2020-21 however there are telling differences.  Requests for help with matters affecting children have come significantly more often from women (chart).