Building Sustainable Framework For Supporting Women During The COVID Crisis Is Paramount

Shilpa Marla Oct 31, 2020

COVID-19 changed probably changed the definition of normal for the foreseeable future. The virus has seared across geographies, creating fear, making headlines and destroying economies. The media across the globe has only but covered the destruction created by this pandemic in the last seven months. News about job losses and suicides have taken fore front and any adversity, it has shown the true underbelly of those afflicted worst — women and children. The impact of this pandemic on women is four folds - they are victims to abuse, job losses, overwhelming responsibility and mental health.

Abuse:

The lockdown has been exceptionally long drawn in our country and continues to loom large.

Unfortunately, abuse does not get the front row attention unless its associated with celebrity status, and almost no coverage when its emotional. The National Family Health Survey (NFHS) data indicates that over 30% of Indian women have been physically, sexually or emotionally abused by their husbands at some point in their lives. That makes children of 30% households also the victim of secondary / emotional abuse.

The rising uncertainty of economic revival has been the primary reason for loss of employment. Unemployment, anger, unpredictable future and a sense of entitlement coupled with confinement is the recipe for marital abuse. Most women in India never report abuse due to the stigma attached with divorce and hence in their ideal world their spouse being away for work earlier meant 16 hours of quiet and peace. Abused women constantly grapple between living with a violent partner and maintaining their own sanity. Abuse, although a learned behavior, is exceptionally hard to contain during such a pandemic.

“The pandemic inside the pandemic” is the new headline addressing the rise in cases of abuse during the lockdown. Until WHO & UN acknowledged the rise of abuse globally due to the lockdown this wasn’t considered important enough to action. The hope now is that NGOs with the support of state governments will come up with an exit strategy for those affected.

Loss of employment:

The Gender Inequality Index was Introduced in 2010 by the United Nations and their reports state that against every 100 positions only 23 women were recruited. The Index also threw light on the huge pay gap indicating that women consistently get paid 35-40% lower than their male counterparts.

The pandemic has further worsened this dynamic and women have been the first to lose jobs this year. Also, it is likely that most women may not get their old jobs back once we get past this pandemic. Most of them will have to restart their careers or step down a couple of levels in order to get their economic wheels moving.

Women centric Industries like education, childcare and hospitality are by far the worst hit with no visibility of revival this year at least. This by itself will contribute to almost 9 million women losing employment in India this year.

Overwhelming responsibility:

Women, especially in India, who have managed to keep their jobs have to strike a balance between work, children, in-laws and housework. Our interactions with such women have been heart wrenching as almost all of them struggle to find quality time with their family. They wake up early so that they can cook for the family before their work meetings start and juggle their schedule throughout the day to ensure everyone is looked after. This is especially hard on women with really young children who are curious and in need of attention but can’t get it in these times.

In traditional societies like India, a woman’s job has been considered as secondary income and hence non-essential in times when it comes to choosing between a man’s work and a woman’s work. Primary earning members make the choice of secondary ones losing their jobs to take care of the children/house/in-laws. It’s almost every day that we hear about women in important positions stepping down to take care of their family because their salary was comparatively insignificant. Career progression is not an opportunity that most women can make considering the financial burden of managing a household.

Mental Health:

An analysis done by USC states that 44% women assumed the role of primary care givers once the schools shut down. The mandated isolation hence has essentially translated into women taking up multiple roles, leaving them with little or no time for themselves. The constant multitasking between the roles of an employee, mother, wife and/or daughter has caused alarming levels of psychological distress in women. Anxiety is a silent killer and, as we continue living in a state of isolation, will spiral before we know it.

The future of women post Covid 19:

With the continued gender disparity and patriarchal role settings the future of women post COVID looks bleak. Hence, organizations need to consciously engage more women with flexible options. Entrepreneurs innovating in the time of coronavirus must recruit women in positions that are not time bound but delivery bound. Women at this point in time are driven to take up opportunities to ensure continuity.

Cutting women out assuming they will be a liability in the future is regressive thinking and that needs to change today. A deliberate attempt to stop side-lining of women must be made. We will move beyond the COVID situation and when we do, we need to be prepared to tip the scales for economic return.

Jacinda Ardern has broken stereotypes in the last two years and was one of the first global leaders to lead a COVID-free nation. Can we nurture more Jacindas around us? More importantly, are we willing to be the catalyst of change?