| Abstract: |
This paper argues that a systematic gender analysis of the current crisis is
critical to develop viable solutions and for furthering the trend toward
gender equality. It analyses the short- and long-term impact of the current
economic crisis with a focus on developing countries. It identifies the
multiple channels and transmission mechanisms through which the global
economic crisis has affected women's lives and explores different areas where
the burden of the crisis falls on poor women, using current indications,
micro-level evidence and lessons learned from previous crises. The paper shows
that the magnitude and types of effects are context-specific: they are likely
to vary across countries, sectors, households and among women, depending on
the economic, demographic and social circumstances. In the short run, many
women are expected to lose their jobs, particularly those working on the
export sectors and/or holding flexible jobs. At the same time, a fall in the
supply of micro-credit is expected to result in a decrease in earnings among
self-employed women workers in trade, agriculture and other sectors.
Additionally, there will likely be an increase in the amount of unpaid work
that women do to support their families. In the long-run, it is expected that
an increase in girls' dropout rate from school to compensate for their
families' loss of income will deteriorate women's future socioeconomic
opportunities. In addition, an increase in the level of violence against
women, combined with limited access to health and other support services as a
result of public expenditure cuts and lower aid receipts, complete the dim
picture of the gendered impact of the crisis in developing countries. The
paper concludes that it is essential to implement mechanisms to mitigate the
negative effects of the crisis on women, in order to ensure that the gains in
women's empowerment and gender equality in the last few decades are not put in
danger. Furthermore, it is argued that the crisis can be used as a unique
opportunity to change power structures and make economic and social policies
more gender-aware and move toward creating a more gender-equal society and
economic system. To that end, civil society involvement to monitor the gender
effects of the crisis in the short and medium term, as well as government-led
(and donor supported) gender-aware response packages will be essential. |