Društvene nejednakosti i kriza: potreba za rodno-odgovornim strategijama
SOCIAL INEQUALITIES AND CRISIS: THE NEED FOR GENDER-RESPONSIVE STRATEGIES

Summary/Abstract: During the previous twenty years, the world has experienced numerous crises that have affected all countries globally – from the global economic crisis in 2008, the COVID-19 pandemic and the war in Ukraine, to the ongoing Israeli-Palestinian conflict. Crises represent critical events that bring individual countries or whole societies into an exceptional state deviating from the norm41, resulting in the escalation of social conflicts and the intensification of social inequalities due to the dysfunctionality of various social systems42. Social inequalities can shape, drive and intensify crises, while at the same time they can be the consequences of the crises. The effects of crises are never gender-blind. The health crisis caused by the COVID-19 has once again confirmed that, in the context of the crisis, social and economic problems are gendered. The crisis that followed the COVID-19 pandemic highlighted gender disparity in terms of the expected outcomes and the effects of undertaken measures and strategies, which additionally revealed and intensified already existing gender inequalities in many aspects of life – from the labor market and educational opportunities to the healthcare and social protection system. By applying a comparative method, the aim of this paper is to look at the impact of the pandemic on gender equality and to analyze how and with what effect gender-mainstreaming was implemented in the national recovery measures and strategies as a response to the pandemic. The results suggest the necessity of integrating a gender perspective into the crisis management, and that the adoption of inclusive and fair economic and social measures and programs, that promote social inclusion, justice and gender equality, is crucial in achieving ”gender-responsive recovery”.

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