Gender gap grows amid Covid-19 and lockdown
Before Covid-19 arrived in SA, women were already in a more precarious socioeconomic position than men. The short-term effects of the crisis and hard lockdown have worsened existing inequalities
Crises and economic upheavals tend to affect people differently. In previous recessions men often suffered relatively more from job losses than women. During the Great Recession of 2008, the term "mancession" was coined to reflect the large numbers of jobs lost in construction and manufacturing. The evidence collected so far suggests the Covid-19 crisis may be different.
Back in May, commentators were already asking if Covid-19 would result in a "she-cession". Sectors that employ large numbers of women — including retail, hospitality, tourism and personal care — were being hit hard by the crisis and lockdown...
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