As for your first question, I would say that it is harder for women to qualify, but in addition, they also receive less in benefits. That is due to the fact that, even today, they still earn less and the system penalizes them because of the precarious, casual nature of the employment they occupy. The five week extension will, once again, be more beneficial to men, who tend to earn more money and whose previous employment was in sectors that tended to be relatively stable.
This measure will not be particularly beneficial for women, who have a harder time qualifying and whose salaries and benefits tend to be lower.