Ecuadorian women in higher education: (im) perception of the double presence and naturalization of gender roles during the pandemic caused by Covid-19

Abstract

Introduction. The study aims to identify changes in the workload of women and men involved in higher education in housework and care during the contingency, as well as its relationship with gender roles and the factors that influence their naturalization in Ecuador. Methodology. From the application of a quantitative methodology, it was observed that during the contingency an increase was registered in the number of hours dedicated to home labour, however, women continue to dedicate more hours to housework and care than men. Results. The analysis of the surveys reported that women's level of fatigue was higher than men', it was also shown that women suffered a greater impact on academic performance, in addition to a greater concern about losing their employment relationship and / or academics. However, both women and men stated that housework and care were equally distributed. Conclusions. The socio-political context before the pandemic already represented a disadvantageous scenario for women, which was aggravated by confinement, hence there is a deep internalization of gender roles, which links them to domestic work out of "love" towards the family. Thus, it is shown that, imposed by pre-established gender roles, limitations continue to operate for women in academia. Contribution. Thus, the study addresses an underdeveloped and very current topic; reflects on the complex situation of women who during the pandemic try to carry out their academic improvement activities, subverting a historical discrimination, and also works with a quantitative perspective, less used in this type of research, establishing fundamental contextual links.