The United Nations launched a report on the impact of the COVID-19 pandemic on the limited progress that has been made over decades on gender equality.

The document reveals that the pandemic could roll back women’s rights achievements and recommends ways to put women’s leadership and contributions at the heart of resilience against and recovery from the novel coronavirus.

Informal Economy

In his video message, the UN General Secretary highlighted that nearly 60 per cent of women around the world work in the informal economy, earning less, saving less, and at a greater risk of falling into poverty.

Guterres also expressed concern about the loss of millions of women’s jobs and their double responsibility of taking care of children and the elderly, a work that remains unpaid.

Governments

The UN chief urged governments from the entire world to include women and girls in decision making processes for recovery. He said that many teenage girls who now are out of school due to the quarantine might not return to school afterwards.

Guterres showed himself concerned with the loss of millions of jobs.

While commenting tax incentive programmes and loans, Guterres said that the lines of credit should prioritize women. Furthermore he argues that social welfare nets must be expanded.

Domestic violence

The UN report suggests that the pandemic and the measures dealing with it are prompting an increase in cases of domestic violence.

Official data reveal that only over the last year one in five women was a victim of violence. And many of the aggressors are at home due to the quarantine.

António Guterres also mentioned the challenges the pandemic of the novel coronavirus has imposed upon healthcare systems around the globe, and how the world has to unite in order to overcome this situation and to build a better future for all.

Read the entire document: Policy_Brief_on_Covid_Impact_on_Women_9_April_2020