Report: Women's employment opportunities drop over 60% in conflict-affected areas

July 15 Mizzima. The employment rate for women in conflict-affected areas has dropped to 62 percent, while for men it stands at 82 percent, showing a 20 percent gap, according to a report titled "Unequal Burdens of UNDP and UN Women – Women’s Livelihoods Amidst Myanmar’s Economic Crisis" released by UNDP Myanmar on July 13. The report states that conflict widens gender employment gaps by causing movement restrictions, cessation of services, and increased household caregiving responsibilities. In areas with less conflict, the employment rate for women is 76 percent, while for men it is 73 percent, indicating that women's employment rate is slightly higher than men's. It is also stated that gender norms cause significant differences in time use and labor force participation between women and men, and that unpaid caregiving responsibilities are hindering women's participation in the labor force. Seventy-eight percent of women outside the labor force cite caregiving as one of their main activities, compared to only 26 percent of men. While women spend an average of over four hours per day on unpaid domestic and caregiving work, men spend just over two hours, and therefore, most women are looking not only for jobs but also for time to work, the report indicates. These inequalities are most pronounced in households with children, where the gender employment gap reaches 18 percent, highlighting how caregiving responsibilities hinder women's participation in the labor market. The conflict situation is exacerbating these deeply rooted gender inequalities. Furthermore, the unemployment rate among young women aged 15 to 24 has reached 13.5 percent, compared to 8.6 percent for young men. This figure rises to 13.9 percent among women with disabilities, further leaving vulnerable groups behind. Even when employed, women remain marginalized, and the income gap between women and men persists significantly. Economic pressures are causing a food insecurity crisis, affecting over half of Myanmar's population. Women are experiencing this food insecurity more severely than men, and this gap is widening in urban areas. Therefore, the report recommends investing in women's economic empowerment, expanding access to education and lifelong learning opportunities, and recognizing and addressing the barriers of unpaid caregiving. It also recommends strengthening women's access to land ownership and income-generating assets, addressing food insecurity and household resilience, and strengthening inclusivity, voice, and all-encompassing standards.