Hidden Figures: How the Coronavirus Has Affected Women and Men in Israel

The Corona crisis began as a health crisis, but it revealed the weaknesses of Israel’s social, economic, and political systems as well. It found a political system entirely devoid of gender sensitivity. Thus, the decisions made, mainly by men, failed to reflect the needs of women. Moreover, the services essential to coping with the epidemic were under-budgeted and under-staffed. What’s more, the epidemic spotlighted the vital role of both paid and unpaid care work and the centrality of women to the economy.

The Corona crisis provides an opportunity for a paradigm change from neo-liberal capitalism, whose goals are efficiency, competition and economic growth, achieved through reduction of direct state investment in public services and the transfer of many of them to the market, to a feminist economic outlook that places the welfare of women and men centermost, guarantees a social safety net and quality public services for all, and recognizes caregiving and education, including services carried out at home, as vital infrastructure requiring investment and proper remuneration.

Published by the Adva Center, “she knows” – Israel’s Gender Knowledge Center and the Friedrich-Ebert-Stiftung Israel.
Authors: Yael Hasson, Hadass Ben Eliyahu, Hagar Tzameret
Israel, March 2021

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