This article examines the COVID-19 pandemic’s influence on gender inequality. Specific challenges facing women during the pandemic and isolation regime are highlighted, including the problems of reduced income, job losses, increase in unpaid work performed by them and violence against women. Analysis of the current situation suggests that gender inequality is exacerbated during the COVID-19 pandemic. The coronavirus crisis has offset the progress in achieving gender equality made over the past several decades. The impact of the pandemic on widening the gender gap in terms of economic opportunities and income is primarily due to the fact that the sectors of economy and types of jobs where dominated by women are affected by isolation and distancing measures to a greater extent. The closure of childcare facilities to prevent the spread of COVID-19 has disproportionately affected women rather than men. Women carry out most of the childcare and housework responsibilities. Consequently, women are more likely than men to face pressure at their paid work and loss of professional development prospects. The issue of gender-based violence existing before the pandemic, coupled with isolation and movement restrictions, has led to an increase in domestic violence against women. The article highlights a number of factors that can ensure the formation of an adequate policy to reduce gender inequality in order to increase stability of the socioeconomic environment in the context of current crisis as well as possible future crises.
gender inequality; gender gap; COVID-19 pandemic; unpaid work; distant work; digital fluency; violence against women.