The COVID-19 pandemic has significantly impacted gender equality, particularly affecting women's employment and childcare responsibilities. Unlike previous recessions, where men's employment was more severely affected, the current crisis has disproportionately impacted sectors with high female employment, such as service industries. School and daycare closures have increased childcare needs, disproportionately affecting working mothers. The effects of this crisis are likely to be long-lasting due to the high returns to experience in the labor market. However, there are potential long-term benefits for gender equality, including increased flexibility in work arrangements and shifts in social norms that may lead to a more equal division of labor in households. The pandemic has also led to increased childcare responsibilities for fathers, which could challenge traditional gender roles. The paper discusses the implications of these changes and suggests policy options to address the challenges faced by families, particularly single mothers. The crisis has also raised concerns about domestic violence, access to abortions, and fertility rates. The authors conclude that while the crisis presents significant challenges, it may also lead to long-term improvements in gender equality through changes in social norms and work arrangements.The COVID-19 pandemic has significantly impacted gender equality, particularly affecting women's employment and childcare responsibilities. Unlike previous recessions, where men's employment was more severely affected, the current crisis has disproportionately impacted sectors with high female employment, such as service industries. School and daycare closures have increased childcare needs, disproportionately affecting working mothers. The effects of this crisis are likely to be long-lasting due to the high returns to experience in the labor market. However, there are potential long-term benefits for gender equality, including increased flexibility in work arrangements and shifts in social norms that may lead to a more equal division of labor in households. The pandemic has also led to increased childcare responsibilities for fathers, which could challenge traditional gender roles. The paper discusses the implications of these changes and suggests policy options to address the challenges faced by families, particularly single mothers. The crisis has also raised concerns about domestic violence, access to abortions, and fertility rates. The authors conclude that while the crisis presents significant challenges, it may also lead to long-term improvements in gender equality through changes in social norms and work arrangements.