This live panel discussion was recorded on November 18, 2021, as the final part of our series "Berlin Talks", a cooperation of international short-term study programs FU-BEST (European Studies) and FUBiS (International Summer and Winter University) at Freie Universität Berlin.

The “gender factor” has received some attention in discussions and analyses of the COVID-19 pandemic, but not always consistently or fully publicly. There are a variety of themes that the panel discussion will consider. What gender-based developments in the care professions (nursing, care, support, etc.) can be identified before and during the pandemic (working conditions, "system relevance", appreciation, etc.)? How can we evaluate the role of the media and communication during the pandemic: has there been any kind of gender bias? When we look at issues of political leadership during the pandemic, do we encounter gender factors in public crisis management in Germany and beyond? What has been the impact of the pandemic on gender roles and relationships – have opportunities opened up to new developments or might there be a relapse into old habits and patterns? When we turn to the practical and psychological handling of the pandemic, are there gender differences at work here? For example, men vs. women as risk groups, with differing "vulnerabilities"? And when we consider the thematic area of home office, job / working world, family, household, and childcare: what are the consequences during this pandemic time for the distribution of roles between women and men?

Panel members:

• Dr. Dirk Verheyen (moderator): Academic director, FU-BEST.
• Dr. Regina Frey: political scientist and policy advisor for the implementation of gender equality strategies. Head of the Gender-Institute for gender equality research in Berlin (www.gender.de).
• Prof. Dr. Holger Bonin: Research Director of the IZA Institute of Labor Economics in Bonn & Professor of Labor Market and Social Policy at the University of Kassel.
• Dr. Kai-Uwe Müller: Head of the FIS Junior Research Group Time Policy at the German Institute for Economic Research (DIW Berlin).