Two new research papers have analysed how women coped during the Covid-19 pandemic as well as with remote work challenges.
The papers titled: The Impact of Covid-19 on Women in Bahrain and Bahraini Women and Remote Work, was jointly prepared by the Bahrain Center for Strategic, International and Energy Studies (Derasat) and the United Nations Development Programme (UNDP).
Authored by Derasat’s Studies and Research director Dr Omar Al Ubaydli and UNDP researcher Deema Al Moayyed, it has outlined the need for rest periods during challenging times.
It is based on response from 408 respondents who took part in an online survey that covered female residents above 18 and around 381 responses from Bahraini women who were part of a focus group discussion.
Almost 74 per cent Bahraini women overwhelmingly appreciated the flexibility that remote working has provided for them, while women with less supportive systems at home reported more difficulties.
Furthermore, almost 75pc of women surveyed agreed that they would like to work from home at least one day per week after the end of the crisis. All focus group participants agreed that a hybrid model, with a mix of remote and in-person work, would be the best arrangement for the future.
The respondents shared the socio-economic impacts created by the pandemic last year in which the respondents called for adopting a hybrid work model with hours split-scheduled between home and the workplace, which would in turn enhance business continuity and help pregnant and nursing mothers.
“Bahraini women prefer to see a hybrid work model introduced, where workers can choose their own hours and aren’t restricted by a 9am to 5pm schedule,” stated the report
“Remote working has the potential to increase retention among pregnant women, breastfeeding women, and women with young children.”
Most Bahraini women believe that remote working has improved their work-life balance.
An overwhelming majority of women (74pc) agreed in the online survey when asked whether they appreciated the flexibility that remote working has given them, while only 11pc disagreed.
In the focus group discussion attendees touched on several points relating to the work-life balance and flexibility.
“In many instances, these women did not mind working longer hours if it meant being able to be around their children and have more control over what was happening during their days,” stated the report.
Participants also said that those who had obligations such as medical conditions that required operations, or elderly family members who required regular hospital visits, expressed that remote working allowed them to attend to these needs and responsibilities more comfortably.
“It is important to note that not all women improved their work-life balance while working remotely,” added the report.
“As the focus group discussion showed, this improved work-life balance was mostly experienced among women who had strong support systems at home, be it from their spouse, parents, in-laws, or hired help.
“In their case, remote working did not improve their work/life balance, as can be seen by the 30pc of women who disagreed with this sentiment.”
This was further backed by younger women and recent joiners to the workforce who suggested that remote working has had a negative impact on their ability to learn about their industries and develop in their careers, because they are not physically available in the office to learn things and gain experience.
Another set of negative effects included monitoring children during remote education periods, shorter personal care routine sessions, and reduced personal interaction with friends and the extended family.
Relationships with nuclear family members improved significantly, but declined with distant relatives, friends and colleagues due to social distancing, according to the report.
The research further highlighted the views of participants that having conferences move to virtual platforms during Covid-19 allowed more women to attend these events, which in some cases were usually attended by a male majority.
A conclusion showed psychological support during the pandemic was among the most pursued needs, especially among middle-aged women.
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