Гендерні особливості ринку праці в умовах пандемії COVID-19

Abstract

The article is aimed at exploring the gender features of the labor market in the context of the COVID-19 pandemic, along with the impact of quarantine restrictions caused by the introduction of anti-epidemic measures to counteract the spread of coronavirus disease in Ukraine, on the existing balance of gender equality in Ukrainian society. The identified gender inequality manifestations in the labor market have intensified and received negative dynamics during the COVID-19 pandemic. Quarantine restrictions and the limited activities of enterprises in the sphere of trade, culture, art, education, hotel business and others, in the structure of employment of which the women’s labor force prevails, have caused an increase in the number of unemployed and a decrease in the social protection of employees involved in these sectors. An increase in the wage gap between women and men during the period of quarantine restrictions both by type of economic activity and by region is identified. The proposals and recommendations are directed towards: taking into account gender needs in overcoming the consequences of the COVID-19 pandemic; reducing gender inequality and injustice in employment and income; ensuring support for political activity of the female population, involvement in decision-making in the life of both the community and the State; strengthening liability for direct or indirect discrimination and gender inequality; taking into account in the programs of socio-economic development of territories of gender needs as to different age groups; introduction of training aimed at ensuring gender approach and gender equality in organizations and enterprises; financial, economic, legal and educational support for the development of women’s business. Prospect for further research in this direction is to determine the impact of the existing level of gender equality and the structure of employment by gender in the sectors on the possibilities of economic development of the country.