Gendered Impact and Implications of COVID-19: A Narrative Global Status-Quo Review

Abstract


 
 
 The COVID-19 pandemic is an unprecedented health situation with considerable effects on health systems, economies and societies. Alongside clinically different outcomes for men and women, COVID-19 brought with it social and behavioral changes. There is a need to look at the current pandemic through a gender lens. This review delineates the disproportionate impact of the pandemic with respect to gender and explores the initial literature on gender and COVID-19. Further research can also consider studying the intersectionality within genders to facilitate engendering the public health programs and policies related to pandemics.
 
 

The Gendered Nature of the Risk Factors of the COVID-19 Pandemic and Gender Equality: A Literature Review from a Vulnerability Perspective

“…The pandemic has also posed challenges for and exacerbated inequities in women's reproductive health [38]. Indeed, women reported a lack of access to sexual and reproductive health services, including contraceptive methods and maternal and child care in emergency situations [37][38][39]. It was found that some vulnerable people, such as displaced populations, non-citizens, migrants, and refugees, that are represented mainly by females and girls do not even have access to PCR testing [40].…”

“…There is also a lack of representation of females in the decision-making of COVID-19 [39], making them less empowered and widening the gender inequality gap. There has been a dramatic rise in gender-based violence during the pandemic against females around the world.…”

“…Due to the pandemic, far fewer women want to become pregnant and want to delay pregnancy or have fewer children during the pandemic. However, women reported a lack of access to sexual and reproductive health services, including contraceptive methods and maternal and child care in emergency situations [37][38][39].…”

“…Women's pre-existing vulnerabilities are exacerbated in the wake of disasters. The lockdown and travel restrictions have coerced women to leave the labour force voluntarily [39]. The closure of schools increased the work at home regarding children's online schooling and physical and social nourishment.…”

“…Women were less likely than men to have power in decision-making around the outbreak, and their needs were largely unmet. There is also a lack of representation of females in the decision-making of COVID-19 [39], making them less empowered and widening the gender inequality gap.…”