New Evidence of Gender Inequality During COVID-19 Outbreak in the Middle East and North Africa

Book excerpt: The COVID-19 outbreak has caused substantial changes in employment outcomes and income distribution. This study aims to examine the negative impacts of COVID-19 on labour market outcomes, particularly emphasizing the gender gap in five countries in the Middle East and North Africa (MENA). The study investigates whether women are more likely to lose their jobs temporarily or permanently, change their main job, and experience reduced working hours or income drops than males during the COVID-19 outbreak. A multivariate probit model is used to estimate the determinants of labour market outcomes simultaneously. The study used the Combined COVID-19 MENA Monitor Household Survey for Egypt, Tunisia, Morocco, Jordan, and Sudan. The current study provides empirical evidence that women were more likely to change their main activity and be permanently laid off than males. The increased childcare and housework responsibilities significantly shaped women's labour market outcomes during the pandemic. The findings of the current study contribute to a better understanding of the impact of COVID-19 on gender inequality in MENA countries that have not been adequately studied. Mitigation policies should target vulnerable groups, especially women who have suffered disproportionately negative effects of COVID-19.