GENDER ANALYSIS AND COVID-19: A CASE STUDY OF ECONOMIC (IN)EQUALITY

Abstract

This paper provides an overview and critical review of the question of whether and to what extent has the coronavirus pandemic affected the economic situation of women. The case study in Bosnia and Herzegovina identified the key concepts that will guide our analysis and interpretation. Based on our experiences, we examine and investigate the economic and social status of women in general, and then monitor economic and social parameters during the coronavirus pandemic, to answer the key question- whether the pandemic caused more damage to men or women in economic terms, did it emphasize and deepen the existing gender gap in economic and social terms, or did it improve the position of women, which we consider less likely. This is a predominantly quantitative approach, given that we collected, compared, and analyzed various statistical data from the census, statistics from labor and employment agencies on the labor market, and similar. Using the compilation method we collected all relevant statistical data for research, and then relied on content analysis and comparison to draw key conclusions. Also, using the compilation method we collected various media reports related to the topic. Where there was a need for additional sources we used the interview as a qualitative method, where we relied on the experience of employment agencies, as well as non-governmental organizations dealing with gender equality issues in Bosnia and Herzegovina. Even though numerous studies have shown that the Covid-19 pandemic had a disproportionate impact on women, our research confirms that official statistics in Bosnia and Herzegovina do not reveal that women are significantly more economically affected than men. The expressiveness of women affected by the coronavirus pandemic and the impact on their economic status was also given through regression analysis and its results. Taking into account only R Square and its indicator of 48%, which is not negligible, it shows the economic position of women before the coronavirus, but certainly during the pandemic. However, given that the effects of the Covid-19 pandemic risk improving existing gender inequalities, we also seek to remind the relevant institutions of their commitment to addressing gender inequalities in all aspects of society and achieving these goals more quickly through a gender-sensitive approach. This, therefore, further opens up opportunities for gender equality, the effectiveness of sustainable development goals, and the empowerment of women in all aspects of social, political, cultural, and economic life.