Black Women in South Africa Most Affected by Pandemic Unemployment

According to a study called the National Income Dynamics Coronavirus Rapid Mobile Survey, three million people have lost their jobs in South Africa since the start of the Covid-19 lockdown and two thirds of them were women. These findings were based on the work of researchers from universities across the country who surveyed 7,000 South Africans between February and April.

The Daily Maverick, a South African daily online newspaper, also highlights the gender differences as a result of the lockdown. According to the newspaper, at the height of South Africa’s lockdown in mid-May, 2020, employment rates for young men fell from 30% to 23%, and for women from 23% to 18%. When South Africa eased lockdown regulations, employment for men rose close to pre-lockdown levels while employment for women remained at 18%, further widening the gap. 

When it comes to economics, there is emerging evidence that women across the globe are disproportionately affected by Covid-19 compared to men. According to the United Nations, women around the world earn less, save less, hold less secure jobs, and are more likely to be employed in the informal sector. They have less access to social protections and are the majority of single-parent households. Their capacity to absorb economic shocks is therefore less than that of men. 

More women have suffered economic setbacks in South Africa than men.