DefinePK hosts the largest index of Pakistani journals, research articles, news headlines, and videos. It also offers chapter-level book search.
Title: The Impact of COVID-19 on Women's Mental Health and Socio-Economic Well-Being: A Case Study
Authors: Humaira Kamran, Saeed Ahmad
Journal: Journal of Asian Development Studies
Publisher: Centre for Research on Poverty and Attitude pvt ltd
Country: Pakistan
Year: 2024
Volume: 13
Issue: 4
Language: English
DOI: 10.62345/jads.2024.13.4.22
Keywords: COVID-19Psychological impactSocio-Economic ImpactWomen in Pakistan
This study explores the impact of COVID-19 on the mental health and socio-economic well-being of women in Pakistan. Women, as a significant portion of the population, faced increased domestic responsibilities, economic hardships, and a rise in psychological issues such as anxiety and phobias. The research conducted interviews with 24 women, case studies, and data from national and international organizations to provide comprehensive insights. The findings reveal that women not only pushed more domestic work and experienced reduced economic activity but also faced a significant rise in mental health issues. A considerable proportion (29%) reported social life disruptions caused by lockdowns, isolation, and mobility restrictions. Another 29% highlighted unemployment as a major challenge, emphasizing working women's financial hardships. However, 20% of respondents noted increased health awareness during the pandemic, positively influencing family health management. The majority of respondents, 66%, reported issues like anxiety, stress, and depression. While online education and employment opportunities were available, they were unevenly distributed. The study suggests the expansion of social protection systems, mental health services, and women-sensitive strategies in emergency planning. The research highlights the ongoing implications of the pandemic on women's social status and relations, emphasizing the need for policymakers to address systemic gender inequalities. This study advances understanding of the gendered impacts of pandemics in a developing country context.
To evaluate the socio-economic and psychological consequences of COVID-19 on women in Bahawalpur, Pakistan.
Qualitative exploratory design using open-ended surveys with 24 women aged 18-65. Data was analyzed through manual thematic analysis, with frequencies and percentages computed using Microsoft Excel, and visualizations generated using Matplotlib and Python.
graph TD;
A["Define Research Objectives"] --> B["Select Qualitative Exploratory Design"];
B --> C["Purposive Sampling of 24 Women"];
C --> D["Data Collection via Open-Ended Surveys"];
D --> E["Manual Thematic Analysis of Data"];
E --> F["Compute Frequencies and Percentages using Excel"];
F --> G["Generate Graphs and Charts using Matplotlib/Python"];
G --> H["Analyze Results and Discuss Findings"];
H --> I["Formulate Conclusion and Recommendations"];
The study highlights that women in Bahawalpur experienced significant socio-economic and psychological impacts due to COVID-19, including increased domestic responsibilities, reduced economic activity, and a rise in mental health issues. Existing gender inequalities were exacerbated. The research also noted resilience among women and identified various coping strategies. The findings underscore the need for gender-sensitive policies, social protection systems, and accessible mental health services.
- 29% of women reported social life disruptions due to lockdowns, isolation, and mobility restrictions.
- 29% highlighted unemployment as a major challenge, leading to financial hardships.
- 66% of participants reported issues like anxiety, stress, and depression.
- 37% acknowledged the effectiveness of government health awareness campaigns.
- 33% adopted a healthy lifestyle as a primary coping strategy.
COVID-19 had severe economic (42%), psychological (36%), and social (22%) impacts on women in Bahawalpur. The study emphasizes the need to address mental health and economic issues, particularly in developing countries. It also points to the challenges of data collection and cultural barriers in research within conservative contexts. The findings offer insights for future pandemic response plans and policymaking.
- By January 2022, COVID-19 had affected over 346 million people globally, resulting in over 5.5 million deaths.
- In Pakistan, by January 2022, there were nearly 1.3 million confirmed cases and 29,000 deaths.
- The study interviewed 24 women aged 18-65.
Loading PDF...
Loading Statistics...