According to UN and OECD reports, women will bear the brunt of the cost of the economic crisis following the pandemic. In Poland, this will be in addition to the pay gap that continues to exist, which is 19% on average, and as much as 30% in the private sector, taking into account bonuses and awards.

Under the project, pay gap between men and women, and inequality on the labor market when an economic crisis ensues after the pandemic, will be diagnosed. The diagnosis will be conducted on the basis of Polish Statistical Office (GUS) statistics, monitoring by local representatives of the Women’s Congress (Stowarzyszenie Kongres Kobiet), qualitative research, and using a gender budgeting tool. The results of the diagnosis will be published in a report. Advocacy activities will also be conducted in the project, for example for introduction of an already drafted proposal for a bill to reduce the pay gap. There are also plans for collaboration with experts and policy makers for adoption of the principle of disclosure of the pay gap and equal opportunities for women on the labor market. The collaboration would be with Social Dialogue Councils, the Lewiatan Confederation of Employers, members of Parliament, labor unions (OPZZ) and selected businesses. The Kongres will promote best practices by creating a Kongres Kobiet certificate for firms that ensure equal rights and opportunities. In the pilot stage, ten firms will be certified. The project also includes public campaigns on the effect of the crisis on women’s position on the labor market and ensuring equal opportunities on the labor market. The advocacy measures and certificate will be devised in cooperation with the Partner, the Icelandic Women’s Rights Association.

The effect of the project will be to reduce the inequality between men and women on the labor market in the face of the economic crisis that follows the pandemic.