ONE YEAR OF COVID-19: A Gender Analysis of Emergency COVID-19 Socio-Economic Policy Responses Adopted in Europe and Central Asia

This publication presents a gender analysis of socio-economic policy responses adopted in 18 countries and territories in Europe and Central Asia over the first year of the COVID-19 pandemic.

This study consolidates 477 government responses recorded as introduced and/or enhanced which fell largely into three categories: social protection measures; labour market measures; and economic, fiscal and business stimulus measures.

In offering an analysis of measures taken from a gender lens, this publication reveals that of the 477 measures, only 7 per cent specifically reference women and can be classified as gender-sensitive. This evidence calls for governments to prioritize adequate and timely gender-responsive policy responses in the context of COVID-19 response and recovery, and other emergencies. In comparison, 28 per cent of measures can be classified as being inclusive of the Leave No One Behind principle in that they specifically reference vulnerable and marginalized households and groups.

The publication also offers factsheets on how the subregions in Europe and Central Asia responded in relation to social protection, labour market, and economic, fiscal and business stimulus.

Two accompanying policy briefs offer recommendations to improve emergency responses in support of women and other vulnerable groups with more expansive and inclusive social protection systems and building more inclusive labour markets and business measures.

The publication is prepared in the frame of UN Women’s regional project ‘Responding to the urgent needs of women and girls in marginalized and vulnerable situations exacerbated by the Coronavirus Disease (COVID-19) in Europe and Central Asia’, with support from the Government of Japan.