It is a fact , and I know that women are aware and are affected by the recession that plagues world economy. The question of survival now becomes the main concern not only of the family but also of society as a whole. With the rapid decline of our economy, it is expected that women in both developed and underdeveloped countries will be greatly affected by the negative impact of this recession.
What are the consequences of this global crisis? There are many and foremost of which is unemployment followed by increase of responsibilities both at work and at home, loss or decrease of income that leads to more domestic problems thus aggravating violence against women.
Because of these potential adverse results , we have to identify and respond to the specific needs of women. Gender perspectives must be taken into account in relation to the impacts of the crisis particularly in the fields of education, health, security and livelihoods. It is in this context that women are getting a significant recognition and are moving in the direction of equality of women and men. Global crisis in a way paved for the liberation of women from the traditional roles to a more practical one that empowered them to help alleviate and avert situation that will help the family survive the challenges of poverty, hunger, illiteracy and discrimination.
In the Annual Meeting of the World Economic Forum in Davos, Switzerland on January 28, 2009, a paper was released titled “ The Underworked Solution: Women and the Talent Crunch” which calls for the increased participation of women in the global workforce as a “key” component of economic growth and sustainable development. To achieve this goal it has been stressed that women must be given access to economic programs aimed at immediately alleviating poverty and hunger, and must be included in dialogues and decision making processes in these issues.
The Association of the Southeast Asian Nations (ASEAN) Confederation of Women Organizations pointed out that women continue to be the world’s under-utilized labor force, thus it is important that the we tap this dynamic force to solve the current economic woes. Proper training, livelihood programs, adult education, business matching of opportunities and skills of women must be implemented.
Finally , I believe that the biggest obstacle inorder to achieve a smooth entry of women in labor force is to remove gender discrimination. By providing equal opportunity to women , the negative effects of global recession will be minimized.
