Gender and Pandemic

Abstract

Gender roles and social status are important in view of assessment of exclusionary process of some vulnerable groups in times of any social and economic crisis. From the history of earlier pandemics globally, it is evident that women played important role in care giving services. But at the same time it affected them negatively due to their social vulnerabilities (World Bank, 2020). The exclusionary process that exists in the social systems lead to exclusion of some vulnerable groups in times of any social and economic crisis. In view of Covid-19 women and girls would be at greater risk than men as violence against women is highlighted by various countries at the global level at the same time this phenomena is also defined as ‘Shadow Pandemic’ by UN Women (2020). The specific social roles and positions assigned to women by society would add more responsibility and social burden on them during any pandemic and epidemic. These social roles, responsibilities, burden and their vulnerabilities can be viewed from different socio-economic, macro and micro perspectives. In this context the present paper is an attempt for creating an understanding of gender roles in the context of emergence of pandemic and epidemic, with special focus of Covid-19 and response of the society towards women. Also the possible remedies are explored and suggested to protect women dignity and overall well-being.