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How COVID-19 Pandemic Worsens the Economic Situation of Women in South Africa

Author

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  • Margaret Chitiga

    (University of Pretoria)

  • Martin Henseler

    (Partnership for Economic Policy (PEP)
    Le Havre University
    Thünen Institute of Rural Studies)

  • Ramos Emmanuel Mabugu

    (Sol Plaatje University)

  • Hélène Maisonnave

    (Le Havre University)

Abstract

Little is known about the general equilibrium impact COVID-19 induces on different gender groups. This paper addresses the problem of relatively few general equilibrium studies focusing on gender impacts of COVID-19. The analysis uses a gendered Computable General Equilibrium model linked to a microsimulation model that analyses a mild and severe scenario of the pandemic on economic and distributional outcomes for females. Irrespective of scenario, findings show that because women employment tend to have unskilled labour which is more concentrated in sectors that are hurt the most by COVID-19 response measures, they suffer disproportionately more from higher unemployment than their male counterparts. The poverty outcomes show worsened vulnerability for female-headed households given that, even prior to the pandemic, poverty was already higher amongst women. These simulated results are consistent with recently observed impacts and address research gaps important for well-designed public policies to reverse these trends.

Suggested Citation

  • Margaret Chitiga & Martin Henseler & Ramos Emmanuel Mabugu & Hélène Maisonnave, 2022. "How COVID-19 Pandemic Worsens the Economic Situation of Women in South Africa," The European Journal of Development Research, Palgrave Macmillan;European Association of Development Research and Training Institutes (EADI), vol. 34(3), pages 1627-1644, June.
    • Handle: RePEc:pal:eurjdr:v:34:y:2022:i:3:d:10.1057_s41287-021-00441-w
    DOI: 10.1057/s41287-021-00441-w
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    Cited by:

    1. Lumengo Bonga-Bonga & Thabiso Molemohi & Frederich Kirsten, 2023. "The Role of Personal Characteristics in Shaping Gender-Biased Job Losses during the COVID-19 Pandemic: The Case of South Africa," Sustainability, MDPI, vol. 15(8), pages 1-14, April.
    2. Chitiga, Margaret & Henseler, Martin & Mabugu, Ramos & Maisonnave, Helene, 2021. "Modelling a Gender Inclusive Covid-19 Recovery for Zimbabwe," Conference papers 333301, Purdue University, Center for Global Trade Analysis, Global Trade Analysis Project.
    3. Adekunle Adedeji & Tosin Tunrayo Olonisakin & Johanna Buchcik & Erhabor S. Idemudia, 2023. "Socioeconomic status and social capital as predictors of happiness: evidence and gender differences," Palgrave Communications, Palgrave Macmillan, vol. 10(1), pages 1-8, December.
    4. Luis Enrique Escalante Ochoa & Hélène Maisonnave, 2021. "The impact of the COVID-19 pandemic on women's welfare and domestic burdens in Bolivia," Working Papers hal-03118060, HAL.

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    More about this item

    Keywords

    COVID-19; Computable general equilibrium model; Gender; Poverty; South Africa;
    All these keywords.

    JEL classification:

    • C68 - Mathematical and Quantitative Methods - - Mathematical Methods; Programming Models; Mathematical and Simulation Modeling - - - Computable General Equilibrium Models
    • E60 - Macroeconomics and Monetary Economics - - Macroeconomic Policy, Macroeconomic Aspects of Public Finance, and General Outlook - - - General
    • J16 - Labor and Demographic Economics - - Demographic Economics - - - Economics of Gender; Non-labor Discrimination
    • O55 - Economic Development, Innovation, Technological Change, and Growth - - Economywide Country Studies - - - Africa

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