COVID-19 Through a Gender Lens

3 minute read
male and female symbols together in a circle

Gender Based Analysis (GBA+) is often applied by the Trudeau government to assess how different populations (men, women and non-binary persons) may experience policies, programs or initiaves. A gender lens has been applied to cabinet memos and Treasury Board submissions since 2016, and to federal budgets since 2018, and has become a mainstay “lens” for all major government policies. While the government has needed to make decisions quickly on relief programs and funding throughout the COVID-19 pandemic, the application of GBA+ to these efforts is critical to ensure vulnerable populations, specifically women and non-binary persons, do not fall through the cracks or face further discrimination. 

The pandemic is impacting the physical safety of women as well as their finances in a way that is different than men. Rates of domestic violence have been reportedly climbing around the world amid orders to stay indoors and limit social interaction to curb the spread of COVID-19. The situation was already dire for vulnerable women before the pandemic but now with the closure of some shelters and reduced capacity at others, the problem is worsening.  The United Nations has called for immediate global action to halt this rise in violence. Here at home, the Prime Minister responded to the urgency of the issue by investing $40 million in support for women’s shelters and sexual-assault centres across the country and an additional $157.5 million to ensure that homeless shelters remain safe and accessible. While these funds are designed to support women facing abuse, the Canadian Centre for Policy Alternatives has noted that the challenges facing women extend beyond domestic violence.

One of the other challenges remains the wage gap in Canada. According to Statistics Canada, before the pandemic female employees aged 25 to 54 earned $4.13 (or 13.3%) less per hour, on average, than their male counterparts. In other words, these women earned $0.87 for every dollar earned by men. This problem has now been exacerbated by the pandemic with women comprising a large portion of frontline workers including in hospitals, long-term care facilities and retail – all services deemed essential. Discussions are ongoing between provincial and federal governments on providing wage top-ups for essential workers so that they can better fulfill their roles on the frontlines of this pandemic. Quebec has provided a top-up for workers in long-term care facilities and Ontario has recently followed suit. This pandemic has forced a reevaluation of what constitutes an essential service and how women make up the large majority of that workforce, particularly as frontline care workers.

While more work is needed to support women on the frontlines, the leadership of female public health and political leaders is notable. Dr. Theresa Tam is leading Canada’s fight against COVID-19 in her capacity as Chief Medical Officer, supported on the political side by Health Minister Patty Hajdu, under the leadership of Deputy PM Chrystia Freeland. Similarly in New Zealand, Prime Minister Jacinda Ardern has received significant praise for her handling of COVID-19 in that country, which will begin reopening sooner than others. 

Certainly, pressure will mount to institute economic policies and programs quickly, but the continued application of GBA+ will be important in ensuring women continue to be supported beyond the pandemic, both economically and with physical and mental health needs.

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