Gender and policy response to COVID-19 in Canada and Scotland

Abstract

Overcoming pandemics call for immediate and dedicated public health policy solutions. This study analyzes the public health policies introduced in the province of Ontario in Canada, and the country of Scotland in the United Kingdom, in a bid to address the COVID-19 pandemic. We focus on regional policy design by the key health policy decision makers and examine the influence of gender in the solutions introduced by these policy leaders. Drawing from the concept of feminist sociological institutionalism, we argue that that the solutions directed at curbing COVID-19, which was led by a female health minister in Ontario, and a female health secretary in Scotland, did not conform to gendered expectations. While the gendering of institutions is often streamlined to achieve gender equality and consider female issues, the study shows that undivided attention was dedicated to curbing COVID-19, without opportunistic interference and taking advantage of a political window.

Gender and social protection and health policies promoted during the COVID-19 pandemic: Global scoping review and future challenges

“…Reproductive tasks were exacerbated and increased during the pandemic and by the government’s lockdown measures. Additionally, during this period, a triple workload was generated: paid, domestic, and community work [ 35 , 47 ].…”

“…A study conducted in Canada and Scotland by Soremi et al [ 35 ] indicated that female political leaders do not need to base their legitimacy on gender, even more so in environments where these policies have already been institutionalized, adding that the emphasis should be on professional progress.…”

Feminist institutionalism(s)

“… 2 Soremi and Dogo (2021, 147) are a recent exception, arguing that where the presence and leadership of women are ‘an accepted phenomenon’, ‘female policy leaders do not need to hinge their legitimacy on gender in designing policies’.…”