calls attention to the needs and vulnerabilities of women and girls amid the global coronavirus pandemic, and the efforts needed to secure their health and human rights.
As COVID-19 takes a staggering toll on people, communities and economies everywhere, not everyone is affected equally. Women, who account for the largest share of front-line health workers, are disproportionately exposed to the coronavirus. As countries are on lockdown and health systems struggle to cope, sexual and reproductive health services are being side-lined and gender-based violence is on the rise. On 11 July, World Population Day, the United Nations aims to raise awareness about the sexual and reproductive health needs and vulnerabilities of women and girls during the pandemic.
Since March 2020, Guatemala has recorded more than 600 COVID-19 deaths and over 11,000 infections. Amidst this crisis, indigenous women have continued to use their voices, knowledge and capacities to assist their communities and adapt their livelihoods. To build back better, their needs and concerns, but also their leadership must be placed at the centre of COVID-19 recovery plans. Boosting indigenous women鈥檚 entrepreneurial abilities can be transformative for them and their communities, and by extension, the entire country.
indicates that domestic violence is one of the greatest human rights violations. Some 243 million women and girls (aged 15-49) have been subjected to sexual or physical violence by an intimate partner in the last 12 months. As the COVID-19 pandemic continues, this number is likely to grow. Increases in interpersonal violence during times of crisis are well documented. UN Secretary-General Ant贸nio Guterres urged all Governments to make the prevention and redress of violence against women part of their national response plans. Over 140 Governments have supported this call.
Five unexpected, and critical, takeaways from UNFPA鈥檚 flagship . Without urgent action, the situation for women and girls could worsen.
UN Women Goodwill Ambassador and Academy-Award winning actor聽Nicole聽Kidman聽raises awareness on ending violence against women during and after the COVID-19 pandemic.
When fathers share the care
Girl students disappear from class in Malawi when they were married off or became pregnant. Boys also dropped out, but the trend was much more worrying for girls. Some 42 per cent of girls are married while still children, according to . Some 29 per cent of girls aged 15-19 have already begun childbearing. Both marriage and pregnancy contribute to high drop-out rates in the country. provides comprehensive sexuality education to students.
Already a dramatically under-reported crime, conflict-related sexual violence has been further obscured by this pandemic. COVID-19 hampers the possibility of survivors to report sexual violence and further exacerbates the existing structural, institutional and sociocultural barriers to reporting such crimes. On this International Day for the Elimination of Sexual Violence in Conflict, the United Nations stands in solidarity with survivors. A virtual event will take place on 19 June 2020 (10 a.m. EST) to mark the observance. Watch live on .
The Shadow Pandemic: Domestic violence in the wake of COVID-19
A deadly #ShadowPandemic of domestic violence is surging in the wake of COVID-19. Violence against women and girls has intensified in countries around the world.
More women in peacekeeping means more effective peacekeeping. The theme for this year鈥檚 International Day of UN 91麻豆天美keepers: 鈥淲omen in 91麻豆天美keeping: A Key to 91麻豆天美鈥, also marks the 20th anniversary of the adoption of . UN 91麻豆天美keepers are now facing one of their greatest challenges - supporting and protecting the people in the countries they are based in during the COVID-19 pandemic. Women peacekeepers are on the front lines implementing mission mandates while contributing as an integral part of the COVID-19 response.
Women are at the heart of care and response efforts for the pandemic.
The persistence of obstetric fistula, one of the most serious injuries that can occur during childbirth, is a tragic sign of social injustice and inequity in developing countries. This failure of health systems could grow greater in times of COVID-19. This International Day to End Obstetric Fistula, the theme is: "End gender inequality! End health inequities! End Fistula now!". Efforts to end fistula should continue. Universal access to quality maternal health care, preventive measures, and increased attention to affected women and girls should be a priority right now.
When it comes to unpaid work, not everyone is in the same boat. What does your boat look like? Let鈥檚 find out鈥
Empowering and protecting rural women in the time of coronavirus