Economic Impact of COVID-19 on women  

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Are we at risk of losing decades of economic progress for women?

More than a billion workers worldwide face job losses, shorter working hours and pay cuts due to the pandemic.

Women and girls are often the hardest hit.

Basma Nazer, runs a social enterprise ‘Khoyoot’ in Jordan.

Film 14: (0:24) COVID-19 has affected tremendously our work. Our sales have dropped a lot and the women in the (refugee) camp need more work to be done so that they can have income during this tough time.

With limited legal protections, female migrants and refugees are facing grave economic consequences.

Nadarajah Ranjithamalar, runs a business called ‘Ranji Local Products’ in Sri Lanka.

00:57-01:12 We have paid employees only half their salaries; we have taken loans; we have obtained short-term borrowings. We have also pawned jewellery. We do not see any possibility of redeeming them now.

Access to financial services such as investments and loans are decreasing due to COVID-19

making it especially difficult for women-led businesses.

Gilda Esperanza Ixen Cum, President of a Women’s Cooperative in Guatemala.

00:11 – 00:16: “COVID-19 has affected us economically and emotionally.

00:16 – 00:21: We haven’t been able to sell our products and our income has decreased.

00:21 – 00:29 It has greatly affected our family life; for example, my mum can no longer go out to the market to sell [her wares].

 00:29 - Other members of my family have been laid off or suspended from their work.

Lockdowns have led to more women having to quit jobs for unpaid care work.

Gender norms have also contributed to the lack of women's and girls’ leadership and voice.

Despite these challenges, women are resilient!

Adapting to overcome the crises their communities face.  

Gilda: 10:02 – 10:10:  It is a very critical situation, but I would say, don’t get dismayed, we must keep standing.

We must invest in women today, so decades of economic progress are not lost tomorrow!