After the pandemic, put women first

Women like 60-year-old Pia Ortiz tend to be heavily employed in vulnerable sectors like retail, restaurants and hospitality. — AFP

POLICYMAKERS haven’t always considered how economic shocks impact women and men differently — or how governments should respond.

When the 2008 recession hit, few asked how stimulus measures would affect women compared with men. That approach won’t work for the Covid-19 crisis. As leaders face the enormous challenge of rebuilding post-pandemic economies, women must be at the center of their strategies.