Issue paper
Economic inclusion and social protection to reduce poverty. Addressing gender inequalities to mitigate the economic and social impacts of the COVID-19 pandemic in rural areas
The COVID-19 pandemic has affected nearly every rural household, with particularly serious effects on the most vulnerable. Mobility restrictions have disrupted livelihoods, while the economic downturn has pushed disadvantaged and vulnerable groups deeper into poverty, creating “new poor” and exacerbating gender and social inequalities. Women and girls have been disproportionally affected, due to existing gender inequalities, including inequitable access to and control over resources and services. School closures, elderly care and overwhelmed health services have increased the demands on women for unpaid care work. Across Europe and Central Asia, the time women spend on unpaid care and domestic work has risen due to lockdown measures, to 3.2 activities per woman versus 2.3 activities per man.
See the full list of policy briefs related to COVID-19.