An economy that supports women’s livelihoods

COVID-19 has pushed an already strained global economy over the edge and into the worst economic recession since the Second World War. The ensuing employment and livelihoods crisis has taken a disproportionate toll on women, who have lost their jobs at alarming rates. In developing countries where women’s livelihoods were already on a knife-edge before the pandemic, poverty and food insecurity have skyrocketed. The asymmetric fallout of the crisis has exposed an economic system where wealth, income and power are in the hands of the few, while economic insecurity prevails for the many. The growing gap between the rich and the rest, between Global North and Global South, not only flies in the face of shared prosperity and social justice; it also jeopardizes social stability. Rebuilding women’s livelihoods must therefore go hand in hand with broader efforts aimed at creating a more sustainable and socially just economy that prioritizes decent work, social protection and food security for all.

Sustainable Development Goals:

Gender Equality

Reduced Inequalities

Good Health and Well-Being