Does Corporate Social Responsibility Matter to Gender Inequality During Times of Crisis?

• Published in: Women and Inequality in a Changing World pp. 71 - 94
• Main Authors: Lee, Jinyoung, Lee, C.K., Parpart, Jane L.
• Format: Book Chapter
• Language: English
• Published: Routledge 2024
• Edition: 1
• Subjects: COVID-19 pandemic; South Korea; corporate social responsibility; family; responsibility
• ISBN: 9781032250687; 103225064X; 1032250682; 9781032250649
• DOI: 10.4324/9781003281382-7

A variety of sectors and dimensions of corporate social responsibility (CSR) have been discussed in relation to the COVID-19 pandemic, however CSR literature on issues related to gender is limited. In this chapter, we offer observations and commentary regarding the subject of CSR and the COVID-19 pandemic with particular attention to gender inequality in the workplace by building on our previous publication of 'Constructing gender identity through masculinity in CSR reports: The South Korean case' (Lee & Parpart, 2018). There has been a greater reluctance among women to return to work since the pandemic began. In short, there is no doubt that global pandemics are testing businesses' CSR strategies, policies, and actions, so businesses should pay special attention to the roles of women and men at work. Based on the findings from the previous articles, we identified five key areas where business action is urgently necessary to create more gender equality post-pandemic recovery: gender discrimination; work-life balance; career development; equal pay; and gendered irregular workers.