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© 2021 International Monetary Fund
WP/21/169
IMF Working Paper
African Department
Effects of COVID-19 on Regional and Gender Equality in Sub-Saharan Africa:
Evidence from Nigeria and Ethiopia1
Prepared by Chie Aoyagi
Authorized for distribution by Mary B. Goodman
June 2021
IMF Working Papers describe research in progress by the author(s) and are published to elicit comments and to encourage debate. The views expressed in IMF Working Papers are those of the author(s) and do not necessarily represent the views of the IMF, its Executive Board, or IMF management.
Abstract
The labor structure in sub-Saharan Africa is characterized by a high share of informal employment in the rural agricultural sector. The impact of COVID-19 on female employment may not appear to be large as the share of such employment is particularly high among women. Nevertheless, widespread income reduction was observed both in rural and urban households. This could worsen the opportunities for women as husbands’ control over the household resource is the norm. The paper also finds that rural children struggled to continue learning during school closures. Gender-sensitive policies are needed to narrow the gap during and post-pandemic.
JEL Classification Numbers: J4, I2, J7, R2
Keywords: Labor Market Structures, Education, Gender Segregated, Regional Household Behavior, Regional Labor Markets, Sub-Saharan Africa, Nigeria, Ethiopia
Author’s E-Mail Address: CAoyagi@imf.org
I am very grateful for comments from Monique Newiak, Amina Lahreche, Amine Mati, Romina Kazandjian, Abderrahmane Reda Cherif, Karen Ongley, Jesmin Rahman, Jack Joo K. Ree, Mariya Brussevich, Angham Al Shami, Manabu Nose, Il Jung, Zhiyong An, and Angham Al Shami.