Gender Equality and Public Policy during COVID-19

Area of Science:

• Public Health
• Gender Studies
• Economics

Background:

• The COVID-19 pandemic presents distinct gendered impacts globally.
• Women exhibit lower infection severity but face greater economic repercussions.
• Increased domestic labor and childcare burdens disproportionately affect women during lockdowns.

Purpose of the Study:

• To analyze the gender dimension of the COVID-19 pandemic.
• To explore policy interventions supporting gender equality during the crisis.
• To investigate the potential of women's leadership in effective pandemic response.

Main Methods:

• Review of existing evidence on gender and COVID-19.
• Analysis through the lens of gender equality and public policy interrelation.
• Exploration of anecdotal evidence on women's leadership effectiveness.

Main Results:

• Women are less severely affected by the virus but more vulnerable to economic consequences.
• Women bear a larger share of increased housework and childcare during lockdowns.
• Suggestive evidence indicates women leaders may perform better in emergency management.

Conclusions:

• Public policies are crucial to mitigate the pandemic's gendered economic and social implications.
• Further research is needed to establish causal links between gender equality, policy, and leadership.
• The study highlights the need for gender-sensitive policy responses to global health crises.