As families were forced to stay at home during the lockdown, IRCKHF and Hivos, were keen to learn how and if gender dynamics were altered. Through an online survey with 3,555 men and women in Jordan, the aim was to explore the ways in which unpaid work was carried out among respondents and their families, and for employed respondents, how that was balanced with paid work.  This research was based on an online survey distributed via Google Forms and filled out by respondents in May 2020. While the research sample is not a representative one, the survey was nevertheless completed by a large number of respondents from different governorates in Jordan.

The research showed that in times of disaster, disease outbreak or war, it is reported that most women take up greater responsibilities and are often overburdened with paid and unpaid work, which impacts their overall wellbeing. New roles that are borne by women during such events usually come without the alleviation of their existing responsibilities. The gender division of labor which is already inequitable, heightens women’s vulnerability and the additional responsibilities can be long-lasting well beyond the resolution of the pandemic.

This research is part of the Women Empowered for Leadership (WE4L) program implemented by Hivos, which aims to ensure that women have equal opportunities and the capacity to fully participate in leadership positions. The research was implemented by IRCKHF.