Mapping the impact of COVID-19 on the socio-economic situation of women at the local level (North Macedonia)

The mapping analysis examines how the COVID-19 crisis affects the socio-economic situation and wellbeing of women and men at the local level and identifies immediate interventions by the municipalities to respond to the crisis in North Macedonia. Focusing mainly on the perceptions of the local gender equality mechanisms, it provides recommendations for supporting the municipalities in identifying gender-specific measures and prioritizing allocation of resources in the post-recovery period.

The analysis shows that local governments remained at the forefront of the COVID-19 response, by providing response measures tailored to the needs of the most vulnerable groups – single mothers, elderly and people with disabilities, medical staff and other professionals. It also reveals that women have taken the biggest burden in the care economy, which resulted in increased hours spent doing unpaid work. According to the analysis, single parents, families with small children and survivors of violence against women are among the groups most significantly affected by the COVID-19 pandemic.

The mapping was conducted in 20 partner-municipalities in the framework of the UN Women project “Promoting Gender Responsive Policies and Budgets: Towards Transparent, Inclusive and Accountable Governance in the Republic of North Macedonia”, funded by the Swiss Agency for Development and Cooperation and the Swedish International Development Cooperation Agency – Sida.