'Covid19 emotional trauma among women will linger for generations'

The effects of the pandemic are leaving women with severe emotional trauma which will linger for years post-covid19.

Dominic Rampersad, president of Phoenix Park Gas Processors Ltd, during a virtual conference on Women's Leadership on Friday, stressed how important it is to start the discussion on women’s emotional health now to cushion the fall into the "mental grave" the virus is digging for women and girls in TT.

The conference was hosted by the American Chamber of Commerce of TT and featured three panel discussions on issues affecting women.

In his contribution, Rampersad said even if the emotional damage seems irreversible, society still has a role in identifying the real issues and finding solutions to assist the women affected.

In commemoration of International Women’s Day on Monday, the International Labour Office said in a release 13 million women had lost their jobs and recovery from this must include several measures.

Rampersad said it will take more than job security for women to recover from the unbearable stress brought on by the virus. “We need to start a conversation not about what has happened, but on how do we prepare our society for the next economic downturn, whether it's caused by a pandemic, whether it's caused by a natural disaster, because it seemed as though every time we go through this cycle, the impact on women seems to be very consistent. We have to find a solution to this, because we cannot live this way.”

A large part of this solution means society –particularly at home and at work – has to adapt to help women.

“That level of adapting is required to mitigate the impact,” Rampersad said.

Women in TT are at the forefront of the covid19 fight, and at the same time, they are expected to balance a heavier workload on the job and at home. Plus, it’s almost a year since daycare centres were closed, and classes at schools remain virtual.

The police have also reported an increase in gender-based violence over the last year.

Rampersad said the repercussions of the emotional trauma from the added pressure on women will last years after the pandemic comes under control.

“I personally have seen the impact on women in TT and abroad. And I've seen the impact of this virus in the school system, in our society. So, we are going to feel, see and feel this because it's not just about one generation, it’s the generation that is coming to replace us.”

Panellist Miranda Jones, BP’s Gulf of Mexico health safety and environment manager, said women were forced to seek feasible jobs that offer more flexible working conditions so that they can deal with responsibilities at home.

“Because many workplaces offer little flexibility, mothers have been more likely to pursue careers in which they can be available at home when needed, like on sick days. Now, with schools closed for the long term, it means the bulk of the work falls to women.”