O sofrimento feminino na pandemia de COVID-19: como vulnerabilidades das mulheres foram reforçadas na crise sanitária

Abstract

Women always lose during crises. Whether they are political, economic, social, climate, or health-related. They also suffer the consequences differently – and more acutely – than the male population due to the intersectionalities that affect them. From the context of the COVID-19 pandemic, this study seeks to understand what losses of rights and female achievements occurred during the period of isolation and restrictions due to the coronavirus – and what consequences persist in the post-pandemic period, even if some of these achievements and rights have been partially regained. The studied locations are regions within the State of São Paulo/Brazil. Among the consequences are a persistent increase in domestic and sexual violence, as well as feminicides; an immediate loss of employment in greater numbers than men; loss of income as a consequence of job loss, leading to greater financial dependence on others; and the instability of support networks causing socioeconomic impacts. Furthermore, the division of labor and care between genders remains unequal, especially for women from more vulnerable social strata. The first basis of the proposed debate is a survey of data already presented by research institutes and reported in the media, which corroborate the aforementioned impacts during the pandemic. At the same time, the theoretical framework also provides us with grounds to indicate how, historically, women suffer immediate consequences during crises – and the coronavirus crisis was no different. Finally, the results include testimonies from women of different ages and social strata, from São Paulo city, cities in the Metropolitan Region, and Baixada Santista, detailing their experiences during the pandemic and whether or not consequences continue to interfere with their daily lives. Especially, that our way out is through collective action