UN Women, the IFC and the UN Global Compact have taken action to support companies and women in the Arab States during COVID-19, recognizing that eliminating barriers to women’s economic participation and empowerment drives the growth of businesses and economies and improves the lives of families and communities.

This brief presents emerging evidence of the COVID-19 pandemic’s impact on women’s economic empowerment. Complementing a separate UN Women policy brief on “COVID-19 and the care economy”, it considers the immediate gendered economic impacts, including widening socioeconomic divides and shifting national and international priorities for the allocation of resources, as well as the long-term implications for women’s employment and livelihoods.

Marking the 20th anniversary of UN Security Council Resolution (UNSCR) 1325 (2000), UN Women, Wilton Park, the Elders and the UK Foreign, Commonwealth and Development Office, with support from the Government of Germany, convened a high level virtual conference that brought together over 60 experienced peace practitioners, policy makers, women peacebuilders from the region and other regions and multilateral officials to discuss opportunities and challenges for women’s meaningful inclusion in peace processes in the Arab world. The report outlines key points raised by participants throughout the virtual convening, as well as recommendations to enhance women’s inclusion in mediation and conflict resolution processes in the region.

This brief addresses the importance of women’s full, equal, and meaningful participation to an effective pandemic response and to peacemaking efforts, and how the women, peace and security agenda can provide a critical framework for inclusive decision-making and sustainable solutions. It also provides preliminary analysis of the impact of COVID-19 on women’s participation in ceasefires and peace processes and offers a series of recommendations, including on “building back better”.

With many businesses struggling to survive as a consequence of the coronavirus disease (COVID-19) outbreak, loss of jobs and income and rising working poverty are a reality for many workers. This document offers (interim) recommendations for employers to mitigate the negative consequences stemming from COVID-19.