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COVID-19 and the Gender Gap: How the Pandemic is Changing Women’s Lives

  • Writer: QUnited
    QUnited
  • Jul 4, 2020
  • 5 min read

For the first time in modern history, women have lost more jobs than men as a result of the economic downturn stemming from the COVID-19 pandemic. This mass job loss has also led to disproportionate socioeconomic vulnerability for women. With those who have been lucky enough to keep their job, they may be facing higher exposure to the virus, as women statistically hold a much higher percentage of frontline roles. Moreover, violence against women has increased with some women confined to domestic abuse within their homes for the duration of the lockdown. These are just a few ways that women are being disproportionately impacted, taking the brunt of the virus’ repercussions.

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For this week’s installment, we sat down with Sophia Spencer and Melika Khajeh, the co-chairs of Queen’s Female Leadership in Politics (QFLIP) to discuss the widespread impact on women with a focus on intersectionality at Queen’s and in the workplace more generally, as well as resources to access as a woman or an ally. The full podcast can be listened to below.

"People have implicit biases that can lead to an underlying tone of tokenization at times."

Key takeaways from the podcast


Melika and Sophia explained that a large issue facing women at Queen’s University and in the workplace is that “people have implicit biases that can lead to an underlying tone of tokenization at times”.


QFLIP has been very valuable for both of them, and they explain “we [QFLIP] all collectively contribute to a dialogue that tries to make on-campus life better for women”.


Melika and Sophia address the importance of combating the ‘boy’s club’ culture at Queen’s University and in the workplace.


The pandemic’s main impact on women at Queen’s and in the workplace include:

  • Women’s shelters are struggling with capacity and social distancing guidelines.

  • Domestic violence against women has increased drastically with women confined at home.

  • Women typically hold the majority of housework responsibilities which has made working from home very difficult for them, decreasing their productivity at work compared to male-counterparts, as well as forcing many to leave their jobs to take care of their families at home.

  • Women statistically hold a much higher percentage of frontline roles including those of caregivers and medical workers which has resulted in higher exposure to the virus.

It is very important to acknowledge that women are not a homogenous group. Melika and Sophia go on to explain, “There are queer women, trans women, black women, Indigenous women, single moms, all of these different identifies and the pandemic has led to marginalization for each group differently”.


Resources


Financial Assistance

Educate


Classes:

  • GNDS 120/3.0: Women, Gender, Difference (Fall/Winter Online)

  • GNDS 211/3.0 Feminist Histories

  • GNDS 215/3.0 Introduction to Sexual and Gender Diversity (Fall/Winter Online)

  • GNDS 311/3.0 Feminist Thought (Fall)

  • GNDS 312/3.0 Black Feminisms (Fall)

  • GNDS 315/3.0 Feminist Pedagogies (Not offered in 2019-20)

  • GNDS 321/3.0 Gendering Opportunities – Women’s Work (Not offered in 2019-20)

  • GNDS 340/3.0 Indigenous Women, Feminism and Resistance (Not offered in 2019-20)

  • GNDS 370/3.0 Writing Lives: Feminism and Women’s Writing (Winter)

  • ARTH 311/3.0 Gender and Modernism

  • ENGL 222/3.0 Selected Women Writers I

  • ENGL 223.3.0 Selected Women Writers II

  • ENSC 420/3.0 Gender and Environment

  • FILM 331/3.0 Women and Film

  • HIST 280/3.0 Gender in North American History

  • HIST 281/3.0 Gender in History: A European Perspective

  • HIST 465/3.0 Topics in Women's History

  • LLCU 354/3.0 Women's Voices in Latin America

  • PHIL 454/3.0 Topics in Feminist Philosophy

  • POLS 280/3.0 Introduction to Women, Gender and Politics

  • POLS 352/3.0 Women and the History of Political Thought

  • POLS 483/3.0 Justice and Gender

  • SOCY 389/3.0 Gender, Law and Crime

  • SPAN 354/3.0 Cultura femenina latinoamericana

Queen’s Human Rights and Equity Offices:

  • The Human Rights Office provides confidential advice to Queen’s community members on human rights issues and a variety of educational programming. The Equity Office provides leadership, information and liaison on equity matters throughout the University.

  • To request an appointment with a Human Rights Advisor:

    • Email: hrights@queensu.ca

    • Call at (613) 533-6886

    • (When back on campus ~ Come to Reception in room B506, Mackintosh-Corry Hall)

  • Please see their website to learn more about connecting with a Human Rights Advisor and access their online courses and training modules.


Join


Queen’s Female Leadership in Politics (QFLIP)

  • QFLIP is the premier Canadian undergraduate conference working towards the intersectional empowerment of women in the political realm. The conference is a three-day event where over 150 students from across Canada participate to engage with our inspiring speakers, skill-building workshops, and meaningful networking opportunities.

  • Listen to the podcast to hear more about what QFLIP has in-store for the upcoming year

Queen’s Women in Leadership (Q.WIL)

  • Queen’s Women in Leadership (QWIL) hosts an annual 4-day conference to bring students, businesses and speakers together to build connections, learn about and discuss women's issues, and empower a new generation of female leaders.

Queen’s Women of Colour Collective (QWOCC)

  • Queen’s Women of Colour Collective (QWOCC) strives to provide a supportive community open to discussing issues pertaining to ethnicity, academics, and personal narratives. QWOCC fosters a creative environment for both women of colour and allies to share stories, advice and celebrate diversity within the Queen’s community. QWOCC will utilize social media, blog-based content, and regular on-campus.

Queen’s Undergraduate Women and Law (QUWAL)

Queen’s Women in Financial Markets (QWFM)

Women in International Security Queen’s (WIIS-Queen’s)

  • Women in International Security Queen’s (WIIS-Queen's) is an active student-run network dedicated to promoting women in all stages of their career in the field of peace and security through mentorship, outreach and other forms of professional development.

    • Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/WIISQueens/

Women in Science and Engineering - Queen’s University (WiSE)

  • Queen’s Women in Science and Engineering (WiSE) seeks to promote women’s participation in the sciences and engineering by providing networking and mentorship opportunities for Queen’s students.

    • Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/QueensWISE/

Queen’s Advocates for Women’s Global Rights

  • Queen's Advocates for Women's Global Rights focus’ on how education, violence against women and sex trafficking, maternal health and reproductive rights and economic empowerment affect women in impoverished countries around the globe.

    • Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/qagrqueens/

Indigo Girls Group

Mental Health


Student Wellness Services

The Ban Righ Centre

  • A warm and informal environment for mothers and/or women returning to university studies after an interruption from diverse backgrounds to find community, practical, personal and financial support.

    • Website: https://banrighcentre.queensu.ca/services

Sexual Health Resource Centre (SHRC)

  • The Sexual Health Resource Centre is a confidential, non-judgmental, sex-positive, feminist, pro-choice, queer positive and non-heterosexist information and referral service for all things related to sex, sexuality and sexual health

    • Website: http://shrckingston.org/

Peer Support Centre (PSC)

  • The Peer Support Centre is a group of student volunteers who provide confidential peer-based support to other students at Queen’s University. Students are encouraged to come and speak with volunteers who will listen, offer support for any and all issues, and suggest resources available on campus and in the Kingston community.

  • Email: peersupport@ams.queensu.ca

  • Website: http://amspeersupport.com/

AMS Empower Me Services through Student Care

  • Empower Me is a 24/7 phone service for crisis situations and scheduled sessions that allows students to connect with qualified counsellors, consultants, and life coaches for a variety of issues. All Queen’s students can access sessions delivered in person, by telephone, by video-counselling, or by e-counselling. Empower Me is available 24/7, 365 days per year and is confidential, multilingual, culturally sensitive, gender inclusive, and faith inclusive. Call the number below from anywhere in North America to be directly connected to a trained counsellor.


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