How are higher childcare responsibilities affecting female health care workers in the pandemic ?

What is it about?

Women, on average, spend three times on the amount of time performing childcare duties than men. The COVID-19 pandemic has affected the working of schools and day care centers. This means that parents, especially mothers, have had to find alternative options for childcare. 75% of all health care workers (HCWs) are women. As the pandemic continues, HCWs are facing more stress at work. They also must balance this with their increased childcare needs at home. The authors of this study point out that this balancing act is having a bad effect on female HCWs. It has increased their levels of depression, anxiety, sleeplessness, and distress. Finally, the authors stress the importance of childcare support from governments and healthcare organizations to help HCWs.

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Photo by Markus Spiske on Unsplash

Photo by Markus Spiske on Unsplash

Why is it important?

Even before the COVID-19 pandemic, there were a lot of gender inequalities in the world. The situation has gotten worse since the pandemic began. The higher childcare burden is not only limiting career growth of women but also forcing many women to give up their careers altogether. Moreover, we are relying on our HCWs to help us and our families through the pandemic. It is difficult for them to do their jobs if the stress of balancing work and childcare are making them depressed and anxious. Governments and healthcare organizations need to step up and support women HCWs by providing childcare or financial support for childcare. Otherwise, there will be very big problems for families, science and medicine, and society in the future. KEY TAKEAWAY: The pandemic has made it harder for female HCWs to access and afford childcare. That is placing a lot of stress on them and affecting their mental health. Governments and healthcare organizations should increase childcare support.