Missing voices: the absence of women from Italy’s Covid-19 pandemic response

Abstract

Purpose This study aims to explore the role of Italian women in society and at work during the pandemic. Specifically, it analyses Italian women’s positioning in the work context and in the leadership coordinating the national response to the Covid-19 pandemic. Design/methodology/approach Inspired by feminist thinking addressing recent debates on women’s livelihoods at the time of Covid-19, the study focusses on Italy’s gendered response to the pandemic and its exclusion of women from decision-making roles in the management of the pandemic and the subsequent post-pandemic socio-economic recovery. Drawing on recent studies and media contributions it provides a thought-provoking analysis embedded in the country’s history and culture. Findings Despite their high involvement in the daily management of the pandemic, as key workers and family carers, Italian women’s voices have remained unheard and concealed, even in face of movements towards their recognition (#DateciVoce). This study trace this lack of inclusion in the sedimented gender inequalities characteristic of the Italian socio-political-economic context, combined with the effects of Covid-19. This study suggest that the country needs a long overdue and radical shift towards the centring of women and their contributions in work and society. Originality/value The study offers insights into the gendered pandemic response of one of the first and worst affected countries. It specifically addresses women’s continued marginalisation in the political arena vis-à-vis their key role in supporting the country’s economy.

Factors Related to Women’s Psychological Distress during the COVID-19 Pandemic: Evidence from a Two-Wave Longitudinal Study

“…More specifically, the psychological distress of Italian women during the pandemic may have been exacerbated by social inequalities concerning gender. Previous studies have showed that, in Italy, the percentage of those working in professions with a high risk of infection is higher in women than in men [ 52 ]; Italian women have also largely been excluded from participating in decision-making regarding the management of the pandemic and post-pandemic recovery [ 18 ]; and since the pandemic began, Italian women have reported increased housework and childcare responsibilities (also due to the inability to access external help as a consequence of the lockdown), and have experienced greater job loss, underemployment and precarious positions in the labor market [ 18 ]. Additionally, the high dropout rate is a limitation of this study.…”

“…Significant gendered pandemic effects may have a negative impact on women’s health globally. For example, a greater rate of unemployment among women compared to men during the outbreak has had a detrimental effect on their work and economic opportunities, and increased the pressure to take on caring roles within families as schools and elderly care facilities close [ 18 , 19 ]. Although mortality rates have been twice as high for men as for women [ 20 ], the COVID-19 pandemic has affected women’s mental health more than men.…”

“…Several studies highlighted the fact that the increase in women’s distress is, in part, due to exacerbated domestic duties, including childcare, linked to working from home and school closures [ 12 , 21 , 22 , 23 ]. This is particularly relevant in the Italian context, where the COVID-19 pandemic has increased the focus on social and cultural inequalities concerning gender, which place Italian women at a greater disadvantage than women from other European countries [ 18 ]. Some cross-sectional and longitudinal studies confirmed the negative effects of the COVID-19 pandemic on women’s mental health.…”

Working mothers in East and West Germany: a cluster analysis using a three-stage approach

“…In this regard, the SOEP-CoV study clearly shows that the brunt of childcare during the coronavirus-related lockdown in April and May 2020 was borne by mothers, and this was across all educational levels and employment roles (Zinn et al, 2020). In addition, being often employed in sectors such as social care, retail and education, working mothers had less possibilities to work remotely and, therefore, higher occupational risks (Priola and Pecis, 2020). On a positive note, however, it has been argued that the increase in telecommuting time following the COVID-19 pandemic has also increased men's contributions to childcare and, thus, long-term changes in gender equality may be expected (Carli, 2020).…”

“Who’s that girl?” The entrepreneur as a super(wo)man

“…Women's position in Italian society and in the Italian labour market remains subordinate to that of men, as evidenced by the country's gender equality index, the lowest in the EU (European Institute for Gender Equality [EIGE], 2019, in Priola & Pecis, 2020), due to low female labour participation (at 56.2% compared to the EU average of 68.3%) and high female unemployment, particularly among young women up to the age of 24 (34.8%). This is exacerbated by one of the lowest public spending on families in the EU, with scarce public care services for children and dependent adults.…”