COVID-19 Gender Disparities and Mitigation Recommendations: A Narrative Review

Abstract

The coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19) pandemic has rapidly created widespread impacts on global health and the economy. Data suggest that women are less prone to severe illness; however, sex-disaggregated data are incomplete, leaving room for misinterpretation. Additionally, focusing on only biologic sex underestimates the gendered impact of the pandemic on women. The present narrative review summarizes what is known about gender disparities during the COVID-19 pandemic and the economic, domestic, and health burdens along with overlapping vulnerabilities related to the pandemic. Additionally, this review outlines recommended strategies that advocacy groups, community leaders, and policy makers should implement to mitigate the widening gender disparities related to COVID-19.

The global evolution of mental health problems during the COVID-19 pandemic: A systematic review and meta-analysis of longitudinal studies

“…In addition, women were more likely to provide care to family members facing difficult situations during the pandemic, including child health ( Johnston et al, 2020 ; Power, 2020 ). They were also more likely to be in caregiving professions (nurses, nursing assistants, orderlies) ( Nordhues et al, 2021 ). All these factors may explain the higher prevalence of depression and anxiety in women.…”

“There's no amount of tea in the world that is going to fix the patriarchy right now”: The gendered impacts of the COVID-19 pandemic for women in the gender-based violence sector

“…One ED pointedly stated, “... one of the things that we know about COVID is that women-identified folks are disproportionately impacted by [the pandemic]...” (FG203, T1). Given our sample consisted of mostly female-identified people, and this reflects the make-up of primarily female-identified clients and workers in this field ( Bandali, 2019 ; Nordhues et al, 2021 ), the narratives below represent the experiences of women (shelter clients, frontline service providers, and EDs) during the pandemic, though men's perspectives are included where available.…”

“…While most sectors were impacted by the volatility of COVID-19 and the associated public health responses ( Lemieux et al, 2020 ), certain sectors faced significantly more disruption, especially those that: provide emergency and/or congregate accommodations; are a social service; have primarily younger workers who are paid hourly; and are non-unionized ( Dang & Nguyen, 2021 ; Lemieux et al, 2020 ). Furthermore, having a predominantly female workforce including female leaders, workers, and clients in this sector amplified the impact of COVID-19 as women who continued to work during the pandemic reported heightened job insecurity and poorer mental health compared to men ( Nordhues et al, 2021 ), and were less likely to be designated essential workers in comparable settings (Authors et al, 2021; Wood et al, 2020 ). The GBV sector is therefore unique because of these characteristics, leading to disproportionately negative impacts from COVID-19 and related public health directives.…”

Syndemic aspects between COVID-19 pandemic and social inequalities

“…The female gender represents most of the essential care employees such as frontline health care professionals[ 20 , 29 ], laundry and cleaning staff, administrative assistants working in hospitals, social workers, cashiers, and food service workers. Their close physical proximity to the population in general and high interaction with others contribute to increasing the risk of exposure and infection[ 20 , 30 , 31 ], which also can elevate the hospitalization and death risk[ 32 ]. In addition, pregnant women are considered one of the most vulnerable groups regarding COVID-19[ 33 ], because they present a greater risk of developing severe complications in respiratory infections.…”