As the COVID-19 pandemic enters its third year, the world continues to face unprecedented challenges and deep uncertainty. While we've all been dealing with unpredictability, the most vulnerable, particularly women, have been hit the hardest. With an estimated 97 million more people living in extreme poverty, the pandemic reversed decades of progress in international development. Women, in particular, have borne a disproportionate burden as a result of lockdowns, facing the loss of personal and household income, increased unpaid care work, and decreased mobility.
Given its long history, International Women's Day is a fitting way to commemorate women's long-standing struggle for equality. It is also a call for institutions and other stakeholders to recognize their sacrifices and create a safer environment for the next generation of women. The 2022 National Women's Month is more than just a celebration; it is a way to honor the women of the past who paved the way for the present. But, more importantly, it is an opportunity to recognize today's working women and the legacy they will leave for future generations.
Despite these challenges, women living in extreme poverty who participate in social and economic inclusion programs have faced the health and economic crisis with resilience and hope. They've successfully pivoted, diversified, and strengthened their micro-enterprises, armed with skills and knowledge and fueled by their creativity. They've been supporting one another in savings groups through COVID-19 and other shocks. And they've kept saving for the future — for themselves, their families, and their communities.
On International Women's Day, participants advocated for the pandemic to be used to address long-standing inequalities in our society's health-care systems that disproportionately affect women, such as cancer prevention and care, as well as the reproductive rights of cancer patients. There is a need for increased diversity and participation of women in the public and private sectors, as well as a focus on new social and community-based enterprises with equal opportunity goals.
Women are disproportionately affected in all crises, including COVID-19, despite the fact that they are the backbone of society and should be protected and empowered.
References:
https://gdc.unicef.org/resource/building-womens-resilience-face-covid-19
https://www.camella.com.ph/national-womens-month-2022/
https://en.unesco.org/news/covid-19-women-era-pandemic
https://www.embl.org/news/events/indirect-impacts-of-a-pandemic-on-women-in-science/
https://www.nature.com/articles/d41586-020-02006-z
https://reliefweb.int/report/world/africa-track-control-covid-19-pandemic-2022
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