COVID 19: Resources Management and Gendering Impacts I CMMU

 


Dr. Nattavud Pimpa, an associate professor in international business at CMMU, discusses the risks of gender inequality from the mismanagement of resources for COVID-19 crisis .

Never before we have witnessed a global crisis affecting every single person in the entire world  the same way as COVID-19. Women, men and people with non-binary identities affected differently by COVID-19. We certainly need to understand the gendering impacts of COVID-19  in order to mitigate health and security risks.

What important for policy makers are (1) to manage essential resources, such as food, medical services, and finance, at this crucial time, and (2) to include people from all gender and health backgrounds into the policies and practice. We learn from some countries in Africa during the Ebola outbreak and Asian countries during the spread of SARS that women are among the vulnerable groups.

Gender-based violence (GBV) such as sexual exploitation, discrimination, and domestic violence can easily be witnessed. Factors such as stress, lack of resources or access to essential resources, or future concern for life can promote GBV. At the early stage of the pandemic such as Covid-19, I insist the Thai Government to consider gender issues when it comes to their resources planning and allocation. This issue is complex because it involves understanding why women are at risk from socio-cultural and economic views. The focus must remain on tackling the virus from a people-centred human security standpoint, with a gender lens.

Members of the LGBTQI can also be vulnerable to the health risk and protection from COVID-19. Statistically, the smoking rate, use of recreational drugs, and HIV infection among them are higher than general population. However, gender discrimination as well as the unclear health supports for LGBTQI community in some areas of Thailand may discourage members of  LGBTQI community to seek medical care when needed. This can badly impact the prevention of COVID-19.

The Government will need to have a clear set of policy to support women who are out of employment too. Statistically, the International Labour Organization warns us that women represent less than 40% of total employment but make up 57% of those working on a part-time basis. Obviously, they are vulnerable to financial and resources security. As the effects of the COVID-19 pandemic roll through economies, reducing employment opportunities and triggering layoffs, temporary workers, the majority of whom are women, are expected to bear the heaviest brunt of job losses.

COVID-19 will have adverse effects on all sectors and people beyond protection, including security, finance, education, food security, livelihoods, and conflict-affected settings are likely to suffer the most. While the broader impact of COVID-19 remains yet to be seen, we will need to rethink the way we include gender equality into resources management for all Thai citizens.