As the COVID-19 pandemic continues to spread, the social and economic relief measures including fiscal stimulus and expansion of social safety nets are indeed important. However, these measures not only risk exacerbating gender inequalities but also can wipe out decades of gains in women’s empowerment if they do not solve the resultant gender impacts.
Violence against women tends to increase during times of epidemics. For instance, in the last 14 days of the lockdown, the police registered at least 328 cases of domestic violence, most of whom are women and young girls. This shows that many women are being forced to ‘lockdown’ at home with their abusers and are at risk of being severely harmed or even killed. Relatedly, findings by 2016 Uganda Demographic and Health Survey show that more women aged 15-49 years (56 percent) as compared to men (46 percent) experience physical, sexual or emotional violence by their current partner/spouse. Hence with the ongoing lockdown, more women are likely to be victims of domestic violence than men.
Secondly, more women (85.6%) than men (84.5%) are employed in the informal sector which has been affected by the lockdown – closure of businesses. Most importantly, a 2018 report by UBOS shows that women in the informal sector earn one-half the wage of their male counterparts. It follows that reduced earnings increase the incidence of poverty rates among women operating small informal businesses such as road side sellers, market vendors across the country. A breakdown by sector reveals that tourism and hospitality sector, where a majority of employees are women (6.6 % as compared 1.1 % among men) has been affected relatively more than other sectors. The most notable case is that of Sheraton and Serena that laid off staff during the lockdown. Unfortunately, these women may not assume their employment post COVID 19.
In the Health sector, while women and girls have unique health needs, they are less likely to have access to quality health services, essential medicines and vaccines, maternal and reproductive health care especially in rural and marginalized communities during and after the pandemic. The diversion of attention and critical resources away from these provisions may result in exacerbated maternal mortality and morbidity, increased rates of adolescent pregnancies, HIV and sexually transmitted diseases. In addition, women account for a significant share of frontline health workers such as nurses, midwives and cleaners against the Corona Virus pandemic. As such, they are more likely to be exposed to the virus despite the confirmed cases showing that more infected men than women. In Some areas, women have less access to personal protective equipment or correctly sized equipment.
In regard to education, as a result of closing of schools, girls are more likely to take on care responsibilities at home and face teenage pregnancy during the long periods of the lockdown while families prioritize boys’ education. In addition, the pandemic is likely to increase household expenditure on critical needs like food and medical care with no or limited budget for education forcing many school girls out of school. Although the Government introduced supply of education materials, girls especially in rural areas are often times occupied with home chores than boys who have ample time to read their books and play games. This means that when pupils/students return to school, the boys are likely to be ahead of girls in terms of learning – girls’ performance might be affected lest the teachers apply gender responsive teaching techniques.
In light of the above situation, success in curbing the effects of the COVID 19 is contingent on how social and economic measures are designed and implemented. More specifically, it is imperative for the Government and development partners to be gender inclusive in response plans, and budget of resources aimed at addressing impacts of COVID19. For instance, opening up domestic violence shelters in every district while making use of rescue digital and on line contacts for victims are critical in curbing domestic violence. Government can also advance interest free loans to informal and formal women groups to support women entrepreneurs. In addition, government may negotiate with employers to protect jobs occupied by women, especially in the service sectors. Lastly, appropriate and adequate protective gears should be given to all nurses and other frontline workers fighting the COVID 19 pandemic to ensure their safety.