Résumé
Despite some positive trends, gender differences and inequalities remain an important issue in Europe as it is well acknowledged in the European Commission's Gender Equality Strategy 2020-20252. Primary concerns include massive gender segregation in several employment sectors and occupations, unequal distribution of household duties and care work as well as the most brutal manifestation of gender inequality: violence against women. It is precisely for these differences that the current COVID-19 crisis creates new and imminent challenges to the provision of equal rights for men and women. The present report tackles the most significant gender issues induced by the crisis in Europe. The first part of this study looks at the possible consequences of the uneven division of labour between men and women. The COVID-19 crisis not only affects the various labour market sectors differently, but it also has a significant influence on the amount of care work that the households need to provide. It is still to be seen how these short- and medium-term impacts will develop and whether, in the long run, they will reshape existing division of labour across the genders. Highlighting the main tendencies that evolve at the time of the crisis is essential for rethinking the strategy Europe has to take to handle the situation. The second section discusses the state of domestic violence during the lockdown period and calls for attention and action for the most vulnerable ones. Finally, the third part reflects on the chronic under-representation of women in decision-making both in the health system and in the political sphere. The brief concludes by highlighting some possible actions, which could be implemented in the short-and in the long-term period.
[Source: website: op.europa.eu/en/publication-detail/-/publication/c74af327-8441-11ea-bf12-01aa75ed71a1]