The impact of the COVID-19 on women employment: evidence from labour market in China

Abstract

Worldwide, women already face gender discrimination in the labour market. And the outbreak of COVID-19 in late 2019 further exacerbated the situation. Emerging evidences and related studies have shown that the shock of COVID-19 has compounded vulnerabilities faced by women in employment, further marginalizing them in the labour market. In view of women employment issue under the epidemic, this paper analyzes the negative impact of COVID-19 on women employment in the labour market of China from three levels: the perspective of government, enterprises, and individuals. The study suggests that the family burden of women and unpaid work hours has increased during the pandemic. And such negative impact was amplified by factors such as the lack of relative employment security, gender discrimination and, female psychology. This will not only exerts a negative effect on female laborers but also on the society, hindering social development and economic recovery in the long run. The government should play an vital role and take effective actions to improve the situation.