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

UN Women is working to provide support to all women on the frontlines of the fight against this pandemic; promoting flexible working arrangements for women with a burden of care; and prioritizing services to prevent gender-based domestic violence. Now you, too, can help them.

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.

Featured: The shadow pandemic - violence against women

UN Women, the United Nations entity dedicated to gender equality and the empowerment of women, today launched the Shadow Pandemic public awareness campaign, focusing on the global increase in domestic violence amid the COVID-19 health crisis. The Shadow Pandemic public service announcement is a sixty-second film narrated by Academy Award-winning actor Kate Winslet, who has championed many humanitarian causes. The video highlights the alarming upsurge in domestic violence during COVID-19 and delivers a vital message urging people to act to support women if they know or suspect someone is experiencing violence. See full press release ►

Related Links

Videos

UN Women Moldova and Sweden support local businesses run by women

Isolated but not abandoned!

Watch more on our COVID-19 and gender equality playlist.

What our leaders are saying

Un Secretary-General Antonio Guterres — "Put women and girls at the centre of efforts to recover from COVID-19"

UN Women Executive Director Phumzile Mlambo-Ngcuka speaks, — Violence against women and girls: the shadow pandemic

Alia El-Yassir — "Why do we still need to talk about gender equality in the shadow of the pandemic?"

Medical staff in Albania in the frontline of COVID-19 response. Photo: Ministry of Health and Social Protection in Albania — Op-ed: Personal Protective Equipment standards must respond to women’s needs

More messages from our leaders ►

Explainer: How COVID-19 impacts women and girls

illustrated icons show the impact of COVID-19 on women

A profound shock to our societies and economies, the COVID-19 pandemic underscores society’s reliance on women both on the front line and at home, while simultaneously exposing structural inequalities across every sphere. Responding to the pandemic is not just about rectifying long-standing inequalities, but also about building a resilient world in the interest of everyone with women at the centre of recovery. Learn more ►

News and stories

Economic compilation — Across Europe and Central Asia, women confront economic impacts of the pandemic

Vulnerable women compilation — In Europe and Central Asia, COVID-19 responses are reaching the most vulnerable women

EVAW compilation — Women confront pandemic-related violence against women across Europe and Central Asia

Essential items compilation — Ensuring access to essential supplies in the wake of COVID-19 in Europe and Central Asia

Municipal building of Municipality of Novaci. Photo curtesy of the Municipality of Novaci. — Municipalities in North Macedonia lead gender budgeting and planning efforts during the pandemic

Social media

Download the social media package available in English, French and Spanish from Trello.

#COVID19 is not simply a health issue, but one about addressing inequalities. Hear from @UN_Women Exec. Dir. @phumzileunwomen on the issue: https://t.co/pBPxh1r5yU pic.twitter.com/trbQ2U7Pvl
— UN Women Europe & CIS (@unwomeneca) March 23, 2020

We need to practice gratitude now more than ever as we face life adjustments with #COVID19. Who are you grateful for in these challenging times? pic.twitter.com/A0G73ELMuv
— UN Women Europe & CIS (@unwomeneca) March 23, 2020

Data and infographics

Unpaid care island illustration — Unpaid care work: Your daily load and why it matters

COVID-19: emerging gender data
The COVID-19 pandemic is causing untold human suffering and is likely to heighten gender-based inequalities around the world. UN Women is working with partners to bridge the gender data gap and deliver a more accurate picture of the gender dimension to the response so that it can be more effective for women and girls. For gender-related data on COVID-19 visit this page.

The shadow pandemic - violence against women and girls and COVID-19
In times of crisis, violence against women and girls is likely to increase as security, health, and money worries heighten tensions and strains are accentuated by cramped and confined living conditions.