The COVID-19 Pandemic on Women’s Employ-ment: Impacts and Consequences

Abstract

The current COVID-19 pandemic has caused substantial economic setbacks andsubsequent recovery. When measured concern-ing past “recessions,” the present crisis affects women’s employment than men’s employment, which is a far cry from the past outcomes. The current economic situation, brought about by the effects of move-ment restrictions and social distancing rules, affects sectors with a predominantly higher female workforce. Additionally, schools and daycare centers have been shut down. Therefore, many working moth-ers have been forced to leave their employment positions to attendto domestic work. This increased pressures and crisis faced by working mothers will likely persist, primarily due to the already persistent unequal labor and discrimination of women in the labor market. Therefore, there is an urgent need to establish policies that can reduce and redistribute domesticate work by improving labor market regula-tions and making provisions for low-cost care services. There is a need to enact effective social care policies and workplace practices to rein-vent the labor market, thereby leading to better opportunities and participation for men and women.