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Gender equality matters in COVID-19 response

The COVID-19 pandemic is not just a health issue. It is a profound shock to our societies and economies, and women are at the heart of care and response efforts underway.

As frontline responders, health professionals, community volunteers, transport and logistics managers, scientists and more, women are making critical contributions to address the outbreak every day.

During crises, women are hit harder. Globally, women make up 70 per cent of workers in the health and social sector and women do three times as much unpaid care work as men.

They are at increased risk of infection, domestic violence and loss of livelihood and have less access to sexual and reproductive health services as healthcare systems become overstretched. Lend your support by donating now.  

UN Women is working closely with WHO, UN agencies and UN Country Teams along with its partners to strengthen our coordinated response to this outbreak. We are leveraging our relationships with women-led organisations to advance women’s voice and decision-making in all aspects of preparedness and response.

Stay up-to-date with UN Women on how and why gender matters in COVID-19 response. Explore our editorial package: English | French | Spanish 

WOMEN AND COVID-19

Video: How are women uniquely impacted by crises like COVID-19?


During crises like the COVID-19 pandemic, women make essential contributions as leaders and frontline responders. But they are also hit harder by the health, economic and social impacts of the outbreak. 

Watch video: English | French | Spanish

Related news: Paying attention to women’s needs and leadership will strengthen COVID-19 response. Read: English | French | Spanish
Women have been hard hit by COVID-19. Donate now.

WHAT OUR LEADERS ARE SAYING

UN Secretary-General's opening remarks at virtual press encounter on COVID-19 Crisis


"We are facing a global health crisis unlike any in the 75-year history of the United Nations — one that is spreading human suffering, infecting the global economy and upending people’s lives. A global recession – perhaps of record dimensions – is a near certainty. The International Labour Organization (ILO) has just reported that workers around the world could lose as much as 3.4 trillion U.S. dollars in income by the end of this year. This is, above all, a human crisis that calls for solidarity." 

Read the full remarks

COVID-19: Women front and centre


By Phumzile Mlambo-Ngcuka, UN Under-Secretary-General and UN Women Executive Director

"We need mitigation strategies that specifically target both the health and economic impacts of the COVID-19 outbreak on women and that support and build women’s resilience..."

Read the statement: English | French | Spanish

Checklist for COVID-19 response


By UN Women Deputy Executive Director Åsa Regnér

"The rapid changes in daily life we are all experiencing have different impacts on women and men. So I ask 10 questions to those who lead governments, municipalities, parliaments and other decision makers…"

Read the checklist: English | French | Spanish 

Women and COVID-19: Five things governments can do now


By UN Women Deputy Executive Director Anita Bhatia

"Governments the world over are struggling to contain the COVID-19 pandemic. While some voices have flagged the impacts on women, gender concerns are not yet shaping the decisions that mainly male leaders are making..."

Read more

JOIN THE CONVERSATION

Did you know that women make up 70 per cent of workers in the health and social sector? Or that social distancing may be exacerbating domestic violence? UN Women is working to highlight the disparate effect of COVID-19 on women and girls. Use the power of social media to help spread awareness and offer support. Get started by sharing this tweet and downloading our social media package, available in English, French and Spanish. 
 

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