Qualitative Evaluation of Women’s Problems and Life Challenges during the COVID-19 Pandemic

The current paper is the product of a qualitative research performed in order to explore the problems and life challenges of women during the COVID-19 pandemic. The data in this study were collected through semi-structured qualitative interviews with 21 women living in Tehran City, aged between 20 and 61 years. Then, the collected data were analyzed using the Colaizzi’s (1978) method of data analysis. The results of the study show that the problems and life challenges of women can be classified into four main categories, i.e., interrupted life; challenges based on health and hygiene; intensified control over and supervision of the everyday life of women; and occupational challenges and housework, and eight secondary categories, i.e., suspending the normal flow of life; constant fear and stress; helplessness and frustration in the absence of educational centers and service organizations; increased caring responsibilities and the feeling of being neglected; lack of control over one’s own body and maintaining its health; interferences with the affairs of women and losing the feminine realm; reduced space and privacy; returning to traditional housekeeping roles; and transferring occupational responsibilities to home. Overall, the findings of the study show that the COVID-19 pandemic has had consequences and outcomes for women’s lives that not only create numerous challenges and problems for their current life, but they can also have long-lasting effects that may remain long after the pandemic. It should be noted that due to the qualitative nature of the current study, the author does not intend to generalize its results.