Experts weigh impact of pandemic on women

Widespread regression in almost all sectors has been identified by experts as one of the most notable effects of the Coronavirus outbreak. They said the world has experienced unprecedented social and economic shocks, especially among women during this pandemic and that most entities are only now activating plans of action to facilitate relief.

The United Nations Industrial Development Organisation (UNIDO) has, for example, showed evidence that the economic impact has been felt more intensely in the lower-middle-income and upper-middle-income countries. Its published numbers reflect a 22% and 24% average loss respectively, in the Index of Industrial Production (IIP) across countries. The social impact of the pandemic has also stunted positive moving curves, most especially among women. These numbers were only just beginning to gain positive momentum and now, there is an indication that a lot of progress will be undone in the post-pandemic era.

They said the elderly and children age groups are in need of better care, adding that a large number of women have been forced to take up the mantle of caring for the young and elderly. This includes women who are gainfully employed and women who aren’t.

Projections predict that a large part of the women workforce will not smoothly return to work. This is especially worrisome because presently, only 65 percent of women aged 25-54 are in the labour force, compared to 94 percent of men. Coupled with the fact that women currently work three times (3x) more hours of unpaid care work than men (including pre-COVID), women already in the labour force are disadvantaged in productive work hours. There is now a valid argument for the assertion that women are more significantly edged towards the poverty line,” they said.

In Nigeria, the wage gap and the financial situation of women are not outside the norm. Reports said significant numbers of women in this region are still financially excluded. They generally earn less than men and as a result, are closer to the poverty line.”