Challenges for Women due to COVID-19

COVID-19 came at us without any prior warning and disrupted everything from healthcare systems to individuals’ lives. It caused uncontrolled death, exhaustion of medical supplies, unemployment, permanent closure of businesses, increased poverty, and many other areas of loss. However, the main impact of this pandemic has been on women across the world. Although this was not particularly mentioned in the news channels or discussed in the media, we cannot deny the consequences of COVID-19 and its impact on women. We are describing in this article a few aspects of how the situation worsened for females during the time of the pandemic. 

Economic impact

The nationwide lockdowns imposed in nearly every country across the globe were why the economies were disrupted everywhere. It caused unemployment and even poverty in third-world countries. 

Healthcare impact

Apart from the economic impact, COVID-19 also disrupted the healthcare system in most countries. The oxygen supply was grossly inadequate to meet the requirements of the deluge of patients. Many hospitals ran out of medicines and equipment used to treat respiratory distress. 

Did COVID-19 have an impact on women? 

Indeed, COVID-19 had a significant impact on females worldwide, irrespective of age, occupation, and all demographic factors. The impact was not just on the economy or health but also the psychology and regular lifestyles. Here are some of the studies that several organisations have progressed with to understand COVID-19 and its impact on women. 

Pregnant women and the risks to their foetus 

This was a significant risk posed to pregnant women all through the world. When a woman is pregnant, her immune system is usually low, and therefore, the impact of the COVID-19 virus can be pretty dangerous. As per the Centre for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC), the chances of preterm pregnancy increase for a pregnant woman if she is COVID infected. Apart from this, the risks for stillbirth are also high. 

New mothers 

Just like the pregnant women were at risk, new mothers also had to suffer a lot. These women were breastfeeding, and therefore, they weren’t eligible for vaccines or any other medicines that would protect them from the virus. As a result, they had to take extra precautions to stay safe for both the mothers and the newborn babies. Besides, they had to isolate themselves, which further hampered breastfeeding, and the babies were given milk formulas. 

Working women and mothers 

While studying more about the COVID-19 and its impact on women, it is essential to understand how the working class was affected. They had to resign from their jobs, especially those who worked in restaurants, cafés, and other such types of businesses. According to a study, the rate at which women left corporate jobs due to excessive pressure during COVID-19.  

Daily-wage female workers 

In countries like India, daily-wage female workers were also heavily impacted. These women worked in construction industries, agricultural fields, and so on. As these were put to a halt, the entire situation increased risk to women. 

Psychological impact on women

Even though the social and economic impacts are quite disastrous, most women who came forward and talked about their problems revealed that they felt intense stress and psychological turbulence during COVID-19. 

• Home-makers and mothers were too overwhelmed because they had to manage the household, their kids, and other family members
• Working women had to manage their work and also the family who did cause a lot of problems
• Stress, sleepless nights, and depression skyrocketed in many women to the tiring days
• Loss of financial independence has caused frustration and irritation in many females, especially those who are the sole bread-earners in their families
• Lack of ways to socialise increased stress in women and eventually led to insomnia, emotional conflicts, and depression

Conclusion 

It is crucial to study COVID-19 and its impact on women because the pandemic still lingers in the air. Therefore, every country should take enough measures to support females and worry about their health. Unless and until the initiatives are taken, who knows what kind of impact another wave would bring on females worldwide. Therefore, governments should worry about introducing health treatments that will be safe for pregnant women and mothers. Also, people should help in the household work because that will help in reducing the stress from working women. So, it’s time that everyone starts considering that the increased risk to women needs to be mitigated urgently.