Impact of Covid-19 on the Economic Situation of Women in the Non-Formal Sector in Southern Benin

The Covid-19 pandemic has posed one of the most significant challenges globally over the past five years, straining public policies and hindering access to essential services, particularly for women. This article aims to evaluate the pandemic’s impact on the economic situation of women in the informal sector in southern Benin. Data were sourced from a household survey conducted among households with members aged 15-64 as part of the "Rise Bénin" project, funded by the Women Rise program (Canada). The Seemingly Unrelated Bivariate Probit Regression (SURE probit) model was employed to simultaneously analyze the impact of Covid-19 on income and employment loss. The findings reveal that response measures, such as the cordon sanitaire (COSAN) and the closure of entertainment venues, significantly increased the probability of income and employment loss among women. Sustainable post-Covid-19 recovery strategies must incorporate public policies with support measures specifically tailored to the needs of women in the sectors most affected by the pandemic.