Linkage Q1 (2021) - Choose To Challenge

COVID-19 And The Economic Gender Shift
Emerging Socioeconomic Trends of Women In The Caribbean

By Jeetendra Khadan, Laura Giles Álvarez and Latoyaa Roberts

Since its onset, the COVID-19 pandemic has posed a heavy burden on health systems, the economy and the livelihoods of people in the Caribbean region. The pandemic also has the potential of reinforcing and even worsening, pre-existing inequalities within society. For example, there are accounts of women faring worse with the socioeconomic impacts of COVID-19, as they generally earn less, save less, and tend to hold more insecure jobs, or are more likely to live in poverty than men (see UN, 2020; World Bank, 2020 and World Trade Organization, 2020).

In a recent study conducted by the two InterAmerican Development Bank Caribbean economists, Jeetendra Khadan and Laura Giles Álvarez, in collaboration with Cornell University, key socioeconomic indicators surrounding the COVID-19 shock with a gender lens are analysed, specifically regarding: (i) the socioeconomic impact of the pandemic; (ii) individual’s quality of life; and (iii) financial inclusion. This was done by conducting an online socioeconomic survey by the Bank between March and June 2020, in which approximately 12,000 respondents from across six Caribbean Countries, namely The Bahamas, Barbados, Guyana, Jamaica, Suriname and Trinidad and Tobago participated.

Key Socioeconomic Trends with a Gender-Lens Analysis

Pre-pandemic, there were already disparities and inequalities between men and women, and it is believed that the situation has now been exacerbated. The three key messages emerging from the study include:

• 1.      The pandemic is worsening gender inequalities in the labour market,
• 2.      The impact of COVID-19 on women and men’s quality of life has also been unequal, and
• 3.      Gender disparities do not seem to be as large in terms of financial inclusion, but female-headed households have lower financial resilience.

Based on the results from this study, in most of the countries analysed, more women reported job losses than men (Figure 1). Job losses among women were more prevalent, especially among service-oriented sectors (such as tourism), which affected the most women due to the restrictions imposed to curb the spread. Countries such as The Bahamas and Jamaica, faced high job losses that were predominantly occupied by women.

Figure 1: Job losses by country and gender
Source: Authors’ calculations based on data from IDB/Cornell Coronavirus Survey.

Though business closures were higher for men, (Figure 2) business closures among women were more prevalent in Jamaica and Guyana. These results, however, should be taken with care, as women are generally underrepresented in the labour market, and more so as business owners.

Figure 2: Business closures by country and gender
Source: Authors’ calculations based on data from IDB/Cornell Coronavirus Survey.

Another significant issue highlighted by the study revealed that the impact of COVID-19 on women and men’s quality of life has also been unequal. Some indicators relating to quality of life that are analysed include household’s perception of hunger, eating habits and the reported incidence of domestic violence. More single-headed female households reported going to bed hungry or eating less healthy than single male-led households. There was also a reported rise in domestic violence towards women, particularly among lower-income households, especially in Suriname and Trinidad and Tobago.

Figure 3: Percent of the population reporting changes in diet and food security by gender, C-6 average
Source: Authors’ calculations based on data from IDB/Cornell Coronavirus Survey.

Figure 4: Increase in the incidence of domestic violence by country
Source: Authors’ calculations based on data from IDB/Cornell Coronavirus Survey.

Lastly, gender disparities do not seem to be as large in terms of financial inclusion, but female-headed households have lower financial resilience. The disparity between both genders in financial inclusion was not large (except for Barbados and Guyana), as measured by access to a bank account. The share of respondents from Suriname and Guyana with access to a bank account was among the lowest in the region. However, financial resilience seems lower for single females, which restricts their ability to withstand shocks. This likely constrains their ability to withstand hardship, and increases the probability of being more gravely affected by the economic effects of the pandemic.

Figure 5: Access to a bank account by gender
Source: Authors’ calculations based on data from IDB/Cornell Coronavirus Survey

What can urgent policy base response do to ameliorate the situation?

Many countries responded promptly to the pandemic by rolling out a wide range of social protection measures since March 2020, and this initial policy response provided support to all types of households. However, this also meant that despite the disparities in some of the consequences of the pandemic, single-female households did not experience a greater increase in coverage (Figure 6). Although the reasons for this are likely complex and depend on a multitude of factors, it could be advisable to further review targeting by gender and household type, particularly given that single female households are those we found to have the lowest level of financial resilience.

Figure 6: Coverage of social benefits by household type, average C-6 countries
Source: Authors’ calculations based on data from IDB/Cornell Coronavirus Survey.

The preliminary findings and implications of this study act as a catalyst for change and encourage policymakers, other donor agencies, and the society at large, to continue looking into the effects of the pandemic through different lenses and better understand how different societal groups were affected by COVID-19. There is also a need for urgent refinement of the policy response in the context of the disproportionate impact of the pandemic across different groups in society, especially women and this effort would be advisable on a country-by-country basis. While we acknowledge the importance of the information derived from the study, we are also aware that further work and data are needed, particularly at an individual level, and capturing intra-household dynamics during the pandemic to inform policymakers going forward.

About the IDB

The Inter-American Development Bank is devoted to improving lives. Established in 1959, the IDB is a leading source of long-term financing for economic, social, and institutional development in Latin America and the Caribbean. The IDB also conducts cutting-edge research and provides policy advice, technical assistance, and training to public and private sector clients throughout the region.

ABOUT THE AUTHORS

Jeetendra Khadan is a Senior Economist who holds the position of Country Economist for Suriname, and Trinidad and Tobago within the Caribbean Country Department at the Inter-American Development Bank. Prior to that, Jeetendra worked as a Lecturer in the Economics Department at The University of the West Indies, St. Augustine campus where he taught courses on International Trade, International Finance, Economic Integration, Econometrics and Mathematical Economics, and was the Lead Researcher on several projects for international and government organisations. Jeetendra holds a Ph.D. in Economics from The University of the West Indies.

Laura Giles Álvarez is the Country Economist at the Inter-American Development Bank (IDB) Country Office in Barbados. She previously worked as a Young Professional in the Social Protection and Health Division, and the Economics Team at the Caribbean Country Department at IDB. Laura has experience as an Economist in Asia, Africa, Latin America and the Caribbean, focusing on Public Financial Management and Fiscal Policy.

Latoyaa Roberts is a Communications Consultant at the Inter-American Development Bank’s (IDB) Country Office of Trinidad and Tobago. She recently joined the IDB in 2021, but has been working in International Development for over 10 years, with a focus on Communications, Governance, Youth, Civil Society and Social Entrepreneurship. She has a Masters in Global Studies from The University of the West Indies.