COVID-19 crisis and women in Asia

The COVID-19 crisis has disrupted lives across Asia. How successful countries have been in managing the outbreak and flattening the curve varies wildly. However, throughout the region the pandemic has exposed persisting inequalities deeply engrained in the structure of Asian societies – based on gender, economic position, race and caste as well as other factors.

Some impacts on women can be observed across the region like the heightened risk of gender-based violence or the greater economic vulnerability, since women in Asia are often employed under precarious conditions. However, some impacts like access to information, medical care, health insurance and social protection are varying from country to country.

Against this background, the FES Gender Justice Hub Asia has created the “COVID-19 Crisis and Women in Asia” paper series to analyse in more depth how the pandemic has affected women’s lives in the region. The series sets out to take a closer look at systemic implications of this unprecedented crisis and the policy responses. In addition, the series also explores women’s agency in the pandemic response. Through the series, the Gender Justice Hub Asia aims to understand the multifaceted impacts of the pandemic and identify strategies for a better and more gender just future in Asia.