Hi Friend,

The Coronavirus outbreak is exceptionally difficult for everyone and is having a huge impact on all our lives. Our thoughts go out to all of you who are particularly affected.

We know that due to existing gender inequality, the situation will have a significant impact on women. Schools closing and family illness will exacerbate women's existing unpaid caring responsibilities. The surge in specific public services like the NHS and care work will put a huge strain on their staff - the majority of whom are women. And many women will be trapped in their homes, self-isolating with an abusive partner.

The impact on our work

Our team is now working from home and our local groups are meeting remotely. We remain fully committed to continuing our campaigning on women’s rights during this time.

With the situation rapidly evolving and new decisions being made that affect our families, livelihoods, and physical and mental health, it is vital that women and girls in all their diversity are seen, have their voices heard and their needs met.

We will be here, working in partnership with other feminist organisations and with you, to ensure women aren’t left behind or ignored.

Get involved: share your experience with us

Over the coming months, we will be working to understand how the situation is impacting women, the needs of the most vulnerable, and how communities can come together to support one another.

To do this, we’d like to ask for your help. Would you be willing to volunteer your time by sharing regular updates about how the situation is affecting you? We will use this research to inform our campaigning and ensure that women are both visible and represented at the decision-making table.

To make sure we are capturing all women’s experiences, we’d particularly welcome hearing from you if you...

• are caring for family members
• have primary school-age children
• are pregnant or on maternity leave
• are living with a disability
• are self-isolating due to pre-existing health reasons 
• are working in the NHS
• are on zero-hour or temporary contracts
• have been made redundant
• are relying on food banks