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 front lines 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.

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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 front-line 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.

Videos

How are women uniquely impacted by crises like COVID-19?

Women on the frontlines of COVID-19

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

More messages from our leaders►

News and stories

Youth volunteers combat the COVID-19 epidemic of misinformation in the Arab States

Paying attention to women’s needs and leadership will strengthen COVID-19 response

Gender equality starts with you: Nine ways you can keep up your activism from your couch

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We need to practice gratitude now more than ever as we face drastic life adjustments with #COVID19. Who are you grateful for in these challenging times? pic.twitter.com/amrc7mA15C
— UN Women (@UN_Women) March 23, 2020

We may be distant, but we’re not alone. #QuarantineLife looks different, but it doesn’t have to be lonely. pic.twitter.com/f2zq3gfMJa
— UN Women (@UN_Women) March 23, 2020

Data and infographics

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.