What are the factors that have influenced the increase of unpaid care work during the COVID-19 pandemic in Kosovo?

Abstract

This study examines whether unpaid care work has increased after the COVID-19 pandemic and how it hinders progress made toward gender equality. It includes data from a sample commissioned by UNDP Kosovo, using 1417 respondents. The increase in unpaid care work in Kosovo has been influenced by demographic and socioeconomic characteristics like gender, age, marital status, ethnicity, area, and family composition, as examined through probit regression. Women and individuals who are married or cohabiting with a partner are more likely to have experienced increased hours of unpaid care work related to household chores during the COVID-19 pandemic. Older individuals, Albanians (possibly due to stronger preexisting support networks and higher representation), and Prishtina residents (potentially benefiting from greater access to paid help and being in the capital) are less likely to have increased hours of unpaid care work. This paper highlights the urgent need for sustainable policies recognizing and addressing the disproportionate burden of unpaid care work on women, particularly during crises. Investing in accessible childcare services, promoting flexible work arrangements, and encouraging equitable distribution of domestic responsibilities within households are crucial steps toward mitigating gender inequality and fostering a more resilient society.

Keywords:

• Covid-19
• unpaid care work
• gender equality
• Kosovo

Disclosure statement

No potential conflict of interest was reported by the author(s).

Notes

1 In Kosovo, “Kosovo Albanian” and “Kosovo Serb” refer to ethnic groups, while “Kosovar” denotes citizenship. The region is multi-ethnic, with diverse communities like Albanians, Serbs, and other non-majority ethnic communities.

Additional information

Notes on contributors

Nora Jusufi

Nora Jusufi is a PhD Candidate in Economics at the Faculty of Economics, University of Prishtina. She is also the Director of IDRA Research and Consulting—a market and socio-economic research and consulting company in Kosovo. She has completed her master’s degree at the School for International Service, American University, Washington D.C., in International Development (concentration: Development Economics) and her bachelor’s degree at RIT Kosovo in Economics and Management. She has participated in many conferences and schools such as Perspectives on teaching socio-economics and pluralism in economics in Essen, Germany; the Center for European and Policy Studies Winter School Four dimensions of the future of work, in Brussels, Belgium, to name a few. She has also completed a training of trainers on Gender Responsive Budgeting and European Charter for Equality of Women and Men in Local Life by UN Women and has held some workshops such as the one on Basics of Gender Equality and Equal Participation for OSCE through Dialogue Academy as well as Women’s rights are human rights for INJECT.

Lura Rexhepi Mahmutaj

Lura Rexhepi Mahmutaj has a Ph.D. in Entrepreneurship and SME Management and a double degree from the University of Nice Sophia Antipolis and the University of St. Kliment Ohridski Bitola. She has earned an Erasmus scholarship and holds an MSc in Strategic Project Management (European) from Heriot-Watt University, Politecnico Di Milano, and Umea University. She has authored several research papers, book chapters, and consultancy assignments. Her research work is in the areas of entrepreneurship, firm growth, innovation, and quality management. Dr. Rexhepi Mahmutaj has substantial experience in lecturing. She has also completed the Training of Trainers in Higher Education and Circular Economy.