THE HIDDEN COSTS OF CRISES: GENDER, INEQUALITY, AND RECOVERY

ABSTRACT

Trade is often portrayed as a pathway to growth, resilience, and recovery from crises. But are economic crises – and the policies designed to address them – experienced in the same way by everyone? From geopolitical tensions and supply chain disruptions to food, energy, and financial shocks, the consequences of crises are shaped by unequal access to resources, labour market segmentation, and unpaid care responsibilities. By examining who bears the costs of crises and who benefits from recovery, this lecture invites participants to rethink some of the assumptions underlying trade policy and to explore what they may be overlooking.