nurses’ perspectives on gender equality policies during the covid-19 response phase

Background: gender equality is a foundational aspect of the nursing profession. however, there is limited documentation of how gender considerations were incorporated into policy-making during the covid-19 pandemic. this study explored nurses’ perspectives on gender equality policies during the pandemic response phase.materials and methods: a qualitative content analysis was conducted using semi-structured interviews with 14 nurses working in covid-19 wards. participants were selected through purposive sampling, continuing until data saturation. data were analyzed following graneheim and lundman’s method.results: the central theme identified was “gender inequality in management policies and resource allocation,” derived from four categories: inefficient management, inequality in interactions, inequality in resource management, and inadequate attention to staff needs. nurses reported experiencing gender bias in decision-making and observed unequal access to resources and support during the pandemic. conclusion: nurses perceived significant gender inequality in policy-making during the covid-19 response phase. health system leaders and policymakers should prioritize gender equity in all stages of disaster preparedness and response. further research is necessary to explore gender perspectives in similar high-stress healthcare environments.