Any natural disasters or emergency situation leaves the women and girls the most vulnerable, impacting them indiscriminately. The global health emergency of COVID-19 is also hitting women and girls badly. According United Nations Population Fund, “Pandemics make existing gender inequalities for women and girls worse, and can impact how they receive treatment and care.”
There are number of areas where the risks for women and girls have increased due to this global epidemic of coronavirus. The female population makes 48%of population of Pakistan, according to census held in 2017. The countries like Pakistan which are a patriarchal society, women are considered responsible for the most of the house chores. The lockdown, social distancing and quarantine situation have increased burden of women with workload at homes. The educational institutions have been closed, ensuring kids and young people stay at home. This is an additional responsibility on parents especially mothers, who are traditionally considered to shoulder the responsibility of their children whole day. Similarly, men consider themselves responsible for bread and butter of the family. While staying at home, they do not consider sharing responsibility with females in domestic work. The lockdown has boosted cases of domestic violence and abuse, negatively impacting women all around the world. The daily wagers have lost their jobs, creating financial problems for the families which are leading towards a cruel atmosphere for women. Such issues are fueling psychological problems like stress and tensions for women, disturbing overall family environment.
Coronavirus is also affecting women disproportionately in health sector. The accelerating burden of house chores and domestic issues are impacting physical health of women gravely. Furthermore, all national governments are diverting their health resources to fight coronavirus. The hospitals and budgetary means are diverted to fight this global emergency. The hospitals have been converted into isolation wards and normal patients are being refused to be admitted. This situation is affecting severely the health of pregnant women in case of any emergency. According to World Economic Forum, “women comprise the majority of health and social care workers, and are on the front lines of the fight against COVID-19”. This is also a big danger for health of female population all around the world.
Coronavirus is also affecting women disproportionately in health sector
Moreover, women used to earn through some employment opportunities at home like stitching, embroidery, carpet weaving etc. The lockdown has closed markets and reduced demand of such products which is impacting adversely the financial means of women. Women also contribute as labour in agriculture and industrial sector but social distancing and curfew have snatched these opportunities from them. All these issues are unseen and needs to be addressed in a serious manner.
Pakistani female population is also vulnerable to such issues. Ministry of Human Rights, Government of Pakistan has taken an initiative to provide a helpline 1099 and WhatsApp number 03339085709 where women and children facing any domestic violence or abuse during the lockdown or quarantine, can report there. Such complaints will be addressed and provided legal support. Ministry of Human Rights with the support of United Nations Women has prepared a policy brief exploring the gendered impacts of Corona with some useful recommendations. National Disaster Management Authority of Pakistan also has a dedicated “Gender and Child Cell” to support the most vulnerable faction of population during emergency situations. All national governments should take into account gender parity while fighting against Coronavirus. There should be mental and legal support for women, provided by government. The law enforcing agencies should be more vigilant to respond to any indiscriminately behaviour against women during such emergency situations. They should also initiate public awareness campaigns to sensitize public on gender issues during such crisis situation and availability of any possible support in form of legal and mental health.
The writer is a graduate of University of Oxford in Public Policy and can be reached at @zilehumma_1.