WEF Report Finds That COVID-19 Has Set Back Gender Equality Progress By A Generation; Gap Won’t Be Closed for 135.6 Yrs

In a truly fair society, all individuals would have access to the same necessities and privileges and be treated equally.

Unfortunately, thanks to generations and generations of ingrained prejudice and oppression, such a society remains a distant dream.

Now, it seems that the pandemic may have exacerbated this long-standing issue.

WEF Report Finds That COVID-19 Has Set Back Gender Equality Progress By A Generation; Gap Won’t Be Closed for 135.6 Yrs

The COVID-19 pandemic has set back years of gender equality progress, adding decades to the time needed to close the gender gap.

These troubling findings were presented by the World Economic Forum (WEF) in its annual Global Gender Gap Report.

These effects, the organisation said, will be felt in the long term.

In its previous report, published in Dec 2019, it found that gender equality across a range of areas would be reached within 99.5 years.

However, due to the effects of the pandemic, this has now been pushed back to 135.6 years.

As WEF said: “Another generation of women will have to wait for gender parity”.

So, what accounts for this drastic setback?

Layoffs & Domestic Responsibilities 

Well, one reason, as shown in a study by the UN’s International Labour Organisation, is that women were more likely to lose their jobs during the pandemic.

This is partly due to the fact that they are disproportionately represented in sectors most affected by lockdowns.

Also, since a greater share of domestic responsibilities tends to be borne by women, lockdowns only increased their workload at home, as they had to do more housework and take care of their children as well.

This, understandably, caused stress and made them less productive.

Women were also being hired back at a slower rate than men once workplaces reopened.

But their problems don’t end there.

Survey Finds 4 in 10 Women Face Gender Discrimination

Four in 10 women in Singapore have also encountered gender discrimination in the workplace, according to a recent survey by the Singapore Chinese Chamber of Commerce and Industry (SCCCI).

The survey found that 31% of respondents faced gender discrimination at work; this comprised 10% of male respondents and 41% of female respondents.

The survey concluded that female respondents were more affected by corporate culture and gender stereotypes than male respondents when it came to their career advancements.

While the WEF report showed that women are gradually closing the gender gap in areas such as health and education, they still have a long way to go in the workplace; another 267.6 years, to be precise.

“If we want a dynamic future economy, it is vital for women to be represented in the jobs of tomorrow,” WEF managing director Saadia Zahidi said.

“This is the moment to embed gender parity by design into the recovery”.

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