COVID-19 AND WOMEN’S ECONOMIC EMPOWERMENT AND GENDER EQUALITY

Abstract

The current COVID-19 crisis deeply impacts women, men, girls. While men make up the majority of those who have died from the virus, women and girls the brunt of disproportionate care burdens disruptions in income and education poor access to health and other essentials services greater risk of being dispossessed of land property and gender digital and pay gaps. For women already living in poverty these impacts can be a shock to their economic stability overall and image their ability to purchase critical necessities such as medicine and food.

            Across every sphere, from health to the economy, security to social protection the impacts of COVID-19 are exacerbated for women and girls simply by virtue of their sex. The COVID-19 pandemic is harming health social and economic well being worldwide with women at the center first and foremost women are leading the health response women make almost 70% of the health care workforce exposing them to a greater risk of infection at the same time women are also shouldering much of the burden at home given school and child care facility closures and longstanding gender inequalities in unpaid work women also high risk of violence, exploitation abuse or harassment during times of crisis and quarantine.

            Fundamentally, all policy response to the crisis must embed a gender lens and account for the womens unique needs responsibilities and perspective.