More men than women may have contracted Covid-19 around the world, but experts have warned that the pandemic may set gender equality back by decades.
Melinda Gates, the co-chair of the Bill and Melinda Gates Foundation, said in a paper this week that policymakers risked prolonging the crisis and slowing economic recovery if they ignored the gendered impacts of coronavirus. She added that overhauling systems could allow governments to build “more prosperous, more prepared and more equal” countries.
Many women have struggled financially, emotionally and physically throughout the pandemic.
16 July, The Guardian
Dear Abdulridha Taha Sarhan Joan Nyika Ruqia Quansar
Ignoring effects of Covid-19 on women could cost $5tn, warns Melinda Gates.
The failure of leaders to take into account the disproportionate impact of Covid-19 on women, and their roles in lessening its harm, will mean a long, slow recovery that could cost the world economy trillions of dollars, Melinda Gates has warned.
Even a four-year delay in programs that promote gender equality, such as advancing women’s digital and financial inclusion, would wipe a potential $5tn (£4tn) from global GDP by 2030.
“As policymakers work to protect and rebuild economies, their response must account for the disproportionate impact of Covid-19 on women, and the unique roles women will have to play in mitigating the pandemic’s harm,” Gates said in a paper.
15 July, The Guardian
Melinda Gates and other gender experts think so dear Itishree Padhi
Honestly, I don't find meaning in these fears. The situation requires two things: looking for drugs for prevention and therapy and resolving the economic crisis caused by the pandemic. Attention should be focused on these two aspects, the rest has little importance. Moreover, before worrying about gender problems, the "mere mortals" must first survive .. currently this is not obvious.
It's your personal opinion dear Matteo Nioi but we should not think global development without enuring equity. None should be behind in this race. Gender experts think so.
Dear Muhammad Afthoni it is certainly my opinion, however, the severity of the epidemic requires extreme concreteness. I think (and I don't think I'm the only one) that the priority right now is to solve the crisis and allow as many people as possible to survive and to live in a decent economic situation. Different speeches will be relevant in less complicated times.
Gender disparity should not be accepted in any situation dear Matteo Nioi and ensuring equity in health and security is not a kindness, it's an equal right for all.
I totally agree with the opinion of dear Matteo Nioi that maintaing essential health services and economy situations are the major concerns of the Pandemic.
Thanks for sharing dear Sushma Suri and it's not changing the focus of pandemic rather it's related to ensure equity in health and economy in the divided world. Women are always deprived in such conditions and it's more problematic in South Asian countries.
Although more MEN than WOMEN die from COVID-19, the pandemic is a challenge for both genders. Clearly, there are challenges that are more important today: development of therapies, vaccines, economic recovery, work, etc.
It's just a prediction on equity after the pandemic crisis if women are neglected in healthcare and economy. The world is not for men only dear Haji Saediman and what's wrong if you ensure women's participation in development as well as crisis management?
Don't under estimate or under evaluate women in pandemic management. Study findings are in favor of women's success.
“Women leaders around the world have demonstrated successful management of the pandemic”
Around the world, women are shining through as outstanding leaders as the COVID-19 pandemic escalates. From Germany to New Zealand and Denmark to Iceland, women leaders have shown clarity in their decisions and policies, they are compassionate, empathetic, strong communicators and they show solidarity. Her Excellency Vjosa Osmani, the first woman assembly president in Kosovo, has been praised for her professionalism in leading the assembly during the crisis. She is a Doctor of Legal Sciences, former professor and mother of two girls.
16 June 2020, UN WOMEN
Muhammed Ashraful Alam I humbly disagree with that great lady. Nothing like that is going to happen...
Unluckily gender experts think the effects of pandemic on gender equality will be massive dear Amr Hamdy as women are always behind in health care management and economic decision. If everything is more participatory by both men and women then it can be minimized otherwise it will be more problematic specially for South Asian, Middle East and African countries where gender stratification is more prominent.
I do believe that so many women have struggled financially and physically throughout this pandemic as a result of the lock-down that makes thousands of people without work!