In Focus: Gender equality matters in COVID-19 response

New Jersey’s first COVID-19 Community-Based Testing Site opened on March 20, 2020, at Bergen Community College in Paramus. Photo: Edwin J. Torres for the New Jersey Governor’s Office
New Jersey’s first COVID-19 Community-Based Testing Site opened on March 20, 2020, at Bergen Community College in Paramus. Photo: Edwin J. Torres for the New Jersey Governor’s Office

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. The majority of caregivers, at home and in our communities, are also women.

Additionally, they are at increased risk of infection and loss of livelihood, and existing trends point to less access to sexual and reproductive health and rise in domestic violence during crisis.

UN Women is bringing up-to-date information and analysis on how and why gender matters in COVID-19 response.

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. Paying attention to women’s needs and leadership will strengthen the #COVID19 response.


Speeches and statements

Secretary-General's remarks 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. This is, above all, a human crisis that calls for solidarity... "

COVID-19: Women front and centre
Statement 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..."

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…"


News

A women on public transit in New York wears face mask in March 2020, when many appear to be doing so as a precaution against COVID-19. Photo: UN Photo/Loey Felipe

Paying attention to women’s needs and leadership will strengthen COVID-19 response

UN Women has issued a set of recommendations, placing women’s needs and leadership at the heart of effective response to COVID-19.


Social media

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