A feminist perspective on COVID‐19 and the value of care work globally.
Author:
Bahn, K., Cohen, J. and van der Meulen Rodgers, Y.,
Date:
2020
Language:
English
Region:
Global
Country:
[unspecified]
Full Harvard Reference:
Bahn, K., Cohen, J. and van der Meulen Rodgers, Y., (2020). A feminist perspective on COVID‐19 and the value of care work globally. Gender, Work & Organization, 27(5), pp.695-699.
The global response to the COVID-19 crisis demonstrates that the vast majority of society believes human wellbeing, not economic growth, should be at the centre of policy. This paper argues that focusing on ‘production’ instead of the sustainable reproduction of human life devalues care work and those who perform it. The field of feminist economics has valuable lessons for mitigating hardships as countries navigate the related economic fallout. The paper argues for a comprehensive response to the COVID-19 crisis which recognises gendered work as an integral part of the economic system that promotes human wellbeing for all.