The Covid-19 pandemic has had a profound impact on global economies and societies, particularly negatively shaping the employment of women. The pandemic has hit service sectors where women work intensively, and this situation has seriously reduced women's participation in the labour force. According to OECD (2023) data, before the pandemic, 53 per cent of women were employed in food and beverage services, 60 per cent in accommodation services and 62 per cent in the retail sector. These sectors were among the areas that suffered the most during the pandemic, and these job losses experienced by women were not fully reflected in current unemployment rates.

The pandemic significantly increased the domestic workload, further aggravating women's responsibilities. The closure of schools and day-care centres caused childcare and housework to fall largely on women's shoulders. This book aims to analyse the effects of the pandemic on women's employment and propose sustainable solutions for gender equality.

During the pandemic, many countries have developed various policies to support women's participation in the labour force. These policies included increasing the accessibility of childcare services, expanding parental leave policies and promoting flexible working arrangements. For example, many OECD countries have supported parents by offering additional paid or unpaid leave, cash benefits and emergency childcare facilities. However, the impact of these policies varied from country to country.

During the pandemic, remote working has become widespread, providing an opportunity to help women achieve work-life balance. However, the impact of teleworking on women was more complex than on men. On the one hand, it could make it easier for women to remain in the labour force, while on the other hand, increased domestic responsibilities could increase women's workload.

This book analyses the impact of the Covid-19 pandemic on women's employment and serves as a guide for policymakers, academics and civil society organisations. While emphasising the steps to be taken to ensure gender equality in the post-pandemic period, it seeks answers to the following questions:

- Which policies can be effective to increase women's participation in the labour force?

- How can a fair distribution of the burden of care be ensured?

- How do remote working models affect women's careers?

In conclusion, this study aims to provide insights and recommendations for building a more equitable and resilient future in EU countries and beyond.