The impact of COVID-19 on women’s empowerment: A global perspective

BACKGROUND: This research explores the repercussions of the COVID-19 emergency on women’s enablement worldwide, scrutinizing data spanning 93 nations between 2019 and 2020. METHODS: The investigation employs sectional data examination of various metrics pertinent to women’s empowerment, encompassing the ratio of employed females to the total populace, women’s labour force involvement, female representation in legislative assemblies, young women disengaged from education, occupation, or skill acquisition, and unemployment rates among women. RESULTS: The research identifies encouraging and disheartening developments in female empowerment amidst the pandemic. On an optimistic note, there is a growing inclination towards women’s presence on corporate boards, executive and managerial roles, and positions within publicly owned enterprises. Conversely, there is a notable reduction in the ratio of working women to the overall population, a marginal decrease in female labour force engagement, an upswing in young women uninvolved in education, occupation, or skill development, and an elevation in female unemployment rates. CONCLUSIONS: The study’s results accentuate the demand for tailored initiatives and strategies that address the pandemic’s distinct ramifications on women, including backing for female employment, education, and political involvement. The research further emphasizes the significance of sustained endeavours to foster gender diversity within the business arena, where the COVID-19 upheaval has less impeded female empowerment. Legislators, global entities, and community organizations must prioritize and allocate resources toward gender-sensitive policies and actions to alleviate the detrimental impacts of crises on women, advancing their empowerment, adaptability, and engagement across all life spheres.