India implemented one of the world’s most stringent lockdowns in response to the COVID-19 crisis. This study examines whether the impacts of the lockdown on employment differed by gender in areas surrounding Delhi. An ongoing monthly employment survey between March 2019 and May 2020 allows for comparison before and after lockdown. Estimates based on random-effects logistic regression models show that for men, the predicted probability of employment declined from 0.88 to 0.57, while for women it fell from 0.34 to 0.22. Women’s concentration in self-employment may be one reason why their employment was somewhat protected. However, when looking only at wage workers, the study finds that women experienced greater job losses than men with predicted probability of employment declining by 72 percent for women compared to 40 percent for men. The findings highlight the gendered impacts of macro crises and inform policy considerations through ongoing phases of lockdowns and relaxation.
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It is important to assess the extent of the educational disruption. Delhi Coronavirus Telephone Survey Wave 4 (DCVTS-4), conducted between December 23, 2020, and January 4, 2021, offers some insights. DCVTS-4 collected data on 1,530 children in the 6-14 years category on the extent of the disruptions in schooling and learning. Three findings from this survey are pertinent for designing effective remedies.
The beginning of the vaccination programme suggests that the end is in sight. How quickly we reach the goal post depends on how well prepared we are as we enter the race.
The COVID pandemic has understandably grabbed most of the Government’s attention, becoming the single largest health focus in the country currently, but as India moves ahead to deal with this challenge, it would do well to simultaneously focus on the health of its most precious human resource, its children.
The establishment of a national expert group for Covid-19 vaccine distribution and Electronic Vaccine Intelligence Network (eVIN) to track and manage vaccine stocks and storage is welcome. However, little attention has been directed towards the last-mile challenges in vaccine distribution. Three challenges deserve particular attention.
