Global Women During the COVID-19 Pandemic
Vulnerabilities and Strengths
In May 2020, the world of international psychology lost an accomplished and beloved member of our community, Jean Lau Chin, EdD, to COVID-19. Jean was a professor of psychology, a scholar, researcher, author, educator, feminist mentor, Fulbright Scholar, leader, and most importantly, an outstanding advocate for diversity, equity, and inclusion. She was a powerhouse in psychology and an international voice on diversity leadership, culturally competent mental health services, women's issues, and feminism. This International Perspectives of Psychology Special Issue on Women During COVID-19 is dedicated to Jean as a small acknowledgment of the impact and significance on international psychology and remembrance of how her legacy will continue. Many involved in the creation of this Special Issue wanted to share their memories of Jean:
“The field of international psychology continues to mourn the loss of Jean and her tireless contributions in advocating and mentoring women leaders” commented Irma Barron. “Jean Lau Chin is a role model for me: she put others first, connected people and built bridges. She fills the eternal space with kindness and wisdom and will watch over us like a guardian angel” said Polli Hagenaars.
Dr. Jean Lau Chin's novel and ground-breaking research challenged dominant leadership paradigms by looking at the influence that diversity and social identity have on leadership styles, the exercise of leadership, and perceptions and expectations of leaders. She had a particular interest in women leaders from different cultures and backgrounds and their leadership experiences, as well as Indigenous leadership. She was a highly respected and prolific researcher, a beloved colleague, and an inspiration to many psychologists and students, especially those of Asian descent. Although her passing has left an irreplaceable void, her legacy lives in those who honor her and continue her work. Josephine Tan
When Jean Chin served as president of Division 52, she brought to the forefront the importance of engaging in leadership activities related to international psychology. Many of us have learned from her how to carry our service work in international psychology to a leadership level. Senel Poyrazli
I admired and appreciated Jean for her curiosity, perseverance, and eagerness to explore new areas in leadership and international psychology. Her passion and conviction in the importance of the research inspired many others to join her quest. She made sure that all team members knew their contributions were needed and valued. Jean not only created new understandings of leadership, but also encouraged many others to pursue these lines of research. I think Jean would be very pleased with that outstanding legacy. Mary Beth Kenkel
We are grateful for Jean Lau Chin's years with us as she initiated transformative programs we still teach and learn from. Drawing on her own Chinese immigrant family experiences and cultural knowledge, deeply analytical and immensely practical, Jean's visionary leadership and generous mentoring created a foundation for innovative partnerships defying customary borders. Like many she mentored, I remain informed and inspired by her work in multi-cultural and global women's organizational leadership. Ester Shapiro
Despite the decades of being told that leadership came in one package: white, male, forceful, competitive, Jean Lau Chin knew better. Female, of Chinese descent, warm, humble, and collaborative, Jean forged a new definition of leadership that challenged and changed psychology. The impact of her commitment to giving voice to women and racially, ethnically, and economically oppressed groups not only transformed the field internationally but has influenced healthcare, social justice, and leadership practices across society. She taught us that an effective leader listens, stays in relationship, and is respectful of others, while remaining deeply committed to both principles and values. Natalie Porter
Jean Lau Chin was a wonderful friend and colleague. She exemplified the idea of the scholar-practitioner in the way she studied and taught about leadership and then applied her expertise to the many programs and organizations that were lucky enough to have her leadership. She embraced diversity in its truest sense, respecting different perspectives and valuing what each contributes to the growth and success of all. Jean demonstrated how psychologists can advance ideas and improve the lives of people at the same time. She will continue to be missed. Andrew Simon
Dr. Chin faced the enormous weight of women leadership in a point of time of history when it was untenable that women entertained such goals. Intersectionality was compounded for Dr. Chin as a woman of colour and daughter of immigrants. Dr. Chin contributed indelibly to the field of psychology and women. [She] did not suffer fools, was indefatigable, and fearless in putting herself in arenas historically dominated by men. May she rest in power. Anjhula Mya Singh Bais
Jean Lau Chin stands tall among presidents of the International Council of Psychologists in my heart and in my mind. Jean Lau accepted the role of President Elect at the height of her busy, productive career and at a time that ICP, Inc. was struggling. Dr. Chin caringly and firmly stepped into fill the need and to facilitate a forward momentum within this independent, value-oriented group of psychologists and mental health professionals. Her impact will be felt through years to come. Ann Marie O'Roark
Perhaps what I find so amazing when I think about Jean was her quiet, yet outrageously impactful leadership abilities. When talking about moving a mountain, you would turn around and it would have already been moved. Her spirit, energy, knowledge and passion are so greatly missed. Nancy M. Sidun
Progress on Sustainable Development Goal 5, gender equality and the empowerment of women and girls, has been stymied by the COVID-19 pandemic. Although the harsh consequences of the pandemic have been felt around the world, they have disproportionately affected women. The sectors of the economy in which women work were those most impacted by the pandemic, so women were more likely than men to lose their jobs (Dang & Nguyen, 2020). The rates of domestic violence have risen (Gosangi et al., 2021; Sorenson et al., 2021). Women suffered from diminished mental health, including depression, anxiety, and lower sleep quality (González-Sanguino et al., 2020; Guadagni et al., 2020). The care burden of women has also substantially increased, and mothers are stressed from the combined demands of childcare, housework, homeschooling, and paid work (Power, 2020; Yavorsky et al., 2021). Yet, among those risks and perils, women's strengths are evident. This Special Issue addresses the diverse experiences of women internationally during the COVID-19 pandemic, including not only their hardships but also their strengths and resilience.
The lead article, by Sadé Soares and Nancy Sidun (Soares & Sidun, 2021), addresses the strengths of women's leadership during the global pandemic. Although few in number, national women leaders enacted prompt public health measures, and their citizens benefitted from lower mortality rates. Women's vulnerability to human trafficking during the pandemic was revealed by Erinn Cameron, Samantha Hemingway, Janine Ray, Fiona Cunningham, and Kristine Jacquin (Cameron et al., 2021) who analyzed country-level indicators. Gender inequality, limited educational and economic opportunities for women, lack of women's leadership, gendered violence, and women's poor health were associated with estimated prevalence of modern slavery. Because those indicators of women's well-being have been affected by the pandemic, women and girls are at greater risk for trafficking. Brazilian women's experiences giving birth during the pandemic were addressed by Vívian Volkmer Pontes, Juliana Almeida Santos, and Maria Virgina Dazzani (Volkmer Pontes et al., 2021). Among other changes in their relations with others and the physical world, the women explained that spaces previously deemed safe, such as health care settings, were now potentially dangerous. Two articles, one qualitative and the other quantitative, addressed motherhood during the pandemic. Among mothers in India, self-compassion, psychological flexibility, and less parenting stress were factors associated with their well-being, as revealed in a study by Ketoki Mazumdar, Isha Sen, Pooja Gupta, and Sneha Parekh (Mazumdar et al., 2021). Guatemalan mothers of young children dealt with the challenges of the pandemic by readjusting their priorities, focusing on their children's well-being, gratitude, and faith, according to a qualitative study by Judith Gibbons, Regina Fernández-Morales, María Maegli, and Katelyn Poelker (Gibbons et al., 2021). A study by Yeshim Iqbal, Rubina Jahan, Ashiquir Rahaman, and Omar Faruk (Iqbal et al., 2021) that analyzed the content of calls to a helpline in Bangladesh during the pandemic, as compared to the previous year, revealed many similarities, but relatively more complaints of mental health issues during the pandemic. Finally, researchers Sevaste Chatzifotiou and Despoina Andreadou conducted a qualitative study of Greek women suffering from domestic violence (Chatzifotiou & Andreadou, 2021). Although the women faced severe challenges, especially difficulty in accessing support, they coped through consciousness-raising and awareness, establishing safety plans, and increasing self-confidence and empowerment. This collection of articles not only illustrates the common toll on women in diverse cultural settings, but also their creative and transformational responses that are unique to the ecological niche in which they are living.
We would like to thank Jill Bloom, who helped to launch this project, as well as the authors, the many participants from around the world, and our committed reviewers who helped bring the issue to conclusion.
References
(2021). COVID-19 and women: Key components of SDG-5 and the estimated prevalence of modern slavery. International Perspectives in Psychology, 10(3), 138–146. 10.1027/2157-3891/a000019
(2021). Domestic violence during the time of the COVID-19 pandemic: Experiences and coping behavior of women from Northern Greece. International Perspectives in Psychology, 10(3), 180–187. 10.1027/2157-3891/a000021
(2020). Gender inequality during the COVID-19 pandemic: Income, expenditure, savings, and job loss. World Development, 140, Article 105296. 10.1016/j.worlddev.2020.105296
(2021). “Mi hijo es lo principal” – Guatemalan Mothers Navigate the COVID-19 Pandemic. International Perspectives in Psychology, 10(3), 163–171. 10.1027/2157-3891/a000017
(2020). Mental health consequences during the initial stage of the 2020 Coronavirus pandemic (COVID-19) in Spain. Brain, Behavior, and Immunity, 87, 172–176. 10.1016/j.bbi.2020.05.040
(2021). Exacerbation of physical intimate partner violence during COVID-19 pandemic. Radiology, 298(1), E38–E45. 10.1148/radiol.2020202866
(2020). Sleep quality, empathy, and mood during the isolation period of the COVID-19 pandemic in the Canadian population: Females and women suffered the most. Frontiers in Global Women's Health, 1, Article 585938. 10.3389/fgwh.2020.585938
(2021). Women’s experiences during COVID-19 in Bangladesh: A content analysis of helpline data. International Perspectives in Psychology, 10(3), 172–179. 10.1027/2157-3891/a000018
(2021). Psychological well-being of Indian mothers during the COVID - 19 pandemic. International Perspectives in Psychology, 10(3), 155–162. 10.1027/2157-3891/a000024
(2020). The COVID-19 pandemic has increased the care burden of women and families. Sustainability: Science, Practice and Policy, 16(1), 67–73. 10.1080/15487733.2020.1776561
(2021). The endemic amid the pandemic: Seeking help for violence against women in the initial phases of COVID-19. Journal of Interpersonal Violence, 36(9–10), 4899–4915. 10.1177/0886260521997946
(2021). Women leaders: Challenges, characteristics, and strengths. International Perspectives in Psychology, 10(3), 130–137. 10.1027/2157-3891/a000020
(2021). Affective‐semiotic dynamics of the transition to motherhood in the context of the Covid‐19 pandemic. International Perspectives in Psychology, 10(3), 147–154. 10.1027/2157-3891/a000026
(2021). The gendered pandemic: The implications of COVID‐19 for work and family. Sociology Compass, 15(6), Article e12881. 10.1111/soc4.12881
