COVID-19 crisis deepened gender divides at work and home

Findings from Eurofound’s latest research report - the COVID-19 pandemic and the gender divide at work and home, highlight how traditional gender divides continue to translate into gender gaps in the labor market and areas including working conditions, poverty, total working time, and work-life conflict. The report also underlines how the COVID-19 crisis deepened these divides, pointing to the critical role of care services in supporting women’s labor market participation, financial security, and overall well-being.

The impact of the COVID-19 pandemic appeared to affect men and women equally, however job losses for women were most widespread among the lowest-paid workers. Although women retained employment in some sectors with a high concentration, such as essential services, other sectors where women are overrepresented such as hospitality and care saw far more significant job losses during the pandemic than other sectors. Conversely, men’s job losses were more evenly distributed.

Life at home during the COVID-19 crisis was also challenging with a dramatic increase in work-life conflicts throughout the pandemic for both men and women. 

(WBJ)