Impact of Covid-19 on women
The outbreak of Covid-19 affects everyone everywhere, but it affect different group of people differently depending upon the existing inequalities. The Corona virus do not discriminate between men and women but we do. The primary impact or the infection due to the novel virus may not be different but we can not deny the fact that women are more susceptible to other impacts, say secondary impacts. The secondary impacts are mostly seen in the marginalised areas as in cities, comparatively, there is not much inequalities. The impact is all round; physical, mental, economic etc.
- Economic impact: The outbreak of Corona virus have disrupt the global economy as many industries, firms and many businesses are halted as a result of which millions of people go unemployed. The economic impact is different and more sever in women than in men. About 60% of women across the globe are workforces who earn less, save less and have less secure jobs. As the Corona virus forces then to stay at home, they are unable to support their families economically. The thing is the capacity to absorb economic shock is less in women. We can imagine the situation considering the past events like Ebola breakdown which reduced womens economy increasing poverty rates and aggravating the food insecurity. And economic stress in the families can put children, and especially girls, at a greater risk o exploitation, child labour and gender based violence.
- Health Impacts: The outbreak of such pandemic make women and girls more difficult to receive the health facilities due to the existence of so-called inequalities. Women and girls have unique health needs, but they are less likely to receive quality health facilities. Women make up about 70% of the health work force like nurses and community health workers and are working as front line health workers in at present scenario also. And they are more likely to be exposed to the virus. In some remote areas, they have less or unmatching safety equipment which makes them more prone to virus infection.
The provision of sexual and reproductive health services including maternal health care and sexual violence related services are core of women health and rights. But due to the rapid increase in the cases of Covid-19, there is diversion from these provision which may result maternal mortality, increased rate of adolescence pregnancies, sexually transmitted diseases etc. Reports have shown that women mostly in marginalised area will lose access to the modern contraceptive measures which results unwanted pregnancies. The cases of transfer of the virus from pregnant mother to unborn child has not been reported so far, but we cannot deny the possibilities. And does it really matter if the reproductive health of a women is at stake?
- Gender violence: since the outbreak of Covid-19 and quarantine measures the cases of violence against women and girls have increased. Crowded home, limited access to the services, diversion of the authorities, etc have induced such condition. As per report, even before the Covid-19 one in three women would experience violence and now they are locked up at home with their abusers and all thanks to quarantine. The abusers are taking the advantage of the situation as women can not escape, the can not seek for help and rather end up alone on the street. Lets take an example of a couple where the husband is a drunkard and wife works hard to fulfil daily needs. And due to lockdown the wife is unemployed and they have no savings. When the family run out of money the drunkard husband start domestic violence. And in laws also abuse for not bringing more dowry because they could use that dowry in such economic stress. Besides this, many cases of Child Abuse, Family Violence, Marital rape, etc have increased.
The women and girls are being abused online. Since there is lockdown, people have lots of time and undoubtedly they are engaged in internet more often and the cases of cyber crime have increased. The abusers are annoying the girls with unnecessary messages, comments, threat, hacking and posting inappropriate content on their wall of social media etc. Many such cases have been reported at the bureau. Many people are threatening and morally disgracing the girls who are in quarantine or in hospitals or recovered one from their locality or country.
- Disease outbreak increase girls' and young women's duties caring for elderly and ill family members, as well as small siblings. A extra burden is added to the house wives as the number I the house increase and they have to cook more, work more which may degrade their health condition. The girls lose access to the schools and will be deprived of the nutritious foods that school provides.
We can not afford such condition and measures should be taken as soon as possible to anticipate the further impacts. Different organizations working for welfare of women should take immediate actions, actually not only the organizations it is the duty of the Government and we individuals to work for this. We are working to make the future of equality, safety, we talk about women empowerment but the thing is we just talk. If we are really into making such future we cannot leave such lose ends. According to me following actions should be taken to mitigate the impacts.
- We must simply repeat the past policies and make a more inclusive and equal society.
- As women are at frontline as nurse and health workers and yet their role is overlooked and underpaid. So we must recognize their value and provide adequate support including child care, health services and other social support.
- Women as leader with equal representation and decision making power.
- Measures to protect and stimulate the economy from cash transfers to credit and loans must be targeted at women.
- Social safety must be expanded.
- Gender based violence is at top notch in many houses and even online since the outbreak , so provide essential systems for the victims and direct certain authorities towards this.
- We must ensure the continuity of core and quality education and health services including maternal health care and alternate delivery system.
- We must ensure that the women and adolescent girls and boys are able to get information via accessible platforms.
- Launch awareness programmes online or other plausible platform.
Gender equality and Women's rights are essential to getting through this pandemic together, to recovering faster, and to building a better future for everyone. Progress lost takes years to regain. We have accomplished something talking about women rights and empowerment in past few years. So is it a good thing to let dire Covid-19 situation ruin our progress? Everyone ought to think about it and we must not let our bright future be ruined. So I urge Governments to take urgent steps to protect women and expand support service.
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