Gender Norms and the Coronavirus

There is now emerging a wealth of commentary on the gendered implications of the coronavirus (Covid-19) pandemic. We know that crises can spur new ways of behaving, sometimes leading to shifts in gender norms and underpinning sustained change towards gender equality. But with the fast spreading coronavirus pandemic many gender inequalities have already been intensified as existing discriminatory and harmful norms continue or worsen in the face of change such as violence against women, which has intensified globally under lockdowns and in the face of economic stress.

ALIGN is currently analysing what leads to shifts in gender norms both during and after crises to enhance knowledge and innovation among our community, and we will be sharing new resources as they become available. Highlighted on this site are resources produced by ALIGN and their partners relating to Covid-19 (and non-communicable diseases more broadly) and gender norms.

Source: Gender Norms and the Coronavirus

    Views 840

    Technical Note on COVID-19 and Harmful Practices

    COVID-19 has upended the lives of children and families across the globe and is impacting efforts to end child marriage and female genital mutilation (FGM). Actions taken to contain the spread of the pandemic – such as school closures and movement restrictions – are disrupting children’s routines and their support systems.

    Hundreds of millions of children and adolescents will likely face increasing threats to their safety and well-being, including gender-based violence (GBV), exploitation, abuse and neglect, social exclusion, and/or separation from caregivers and friends. We know from the Ebola outbreaks and from other public health crises that adolescent girls are disproportionally affected by these emergencies. Efforts to stop the Ebola epidemics led to school closures and a loss of education; a decrease in access to reproductive health information and services; a loss of livelihoods and a contraction of social support networks. These undermine strategies to end FGM and child marriage, and threaten the progress that has been made over the past decade.

    This technical note offers a list of effects of COVID-19 on adolescenets as well as program interventions at the national and community level.

    Source: Technical Note on COVID-19 and Harmful Practices

      Views 655

      Millions More Cases of Violence, Child Marriage, Female Genital Mutilation, Unintended Pregnancy Expected due to the COVID-19 Pandemic

      The economic and physical disruptions caused by COVID-19 could have vast consequences for the rights and health of women and girls, a new analysis by UNFPA and partners shows.

      Significant levels of lockdown-related disruption over 6 months could leave 47 million women in low- and middle-income countries unable to use modern contraceptives, leading to a projected 7 million additional unintended pregnancies. Six months of lockdowns could result in an additional 31 million cases of gender-based violence.

      The pandemic is also expected to cause significant delays in programs to end female genital mutilation and child marriage, resulting in an estimated 2 million more cases of FGM over the next decade than would otherwise have occurred. These delayed programs, on top of growing economic hardships globally, could result in an estimated 13 million more child marriages over 10 years.

      These figures – produced in collaboration with partners Avenir Health, Johns Hopkins University (USA) and Victoria University (Australia) – are rough estimates. A great deal is still unknown about how the pandemic, and the response to it, will unfold around the world. But together, the projections offer an alarming view of the future that could confront women and girls if efforts are not urgently made to secure their welfare and ensure their rights.

      Source: Millions More Cases of Violence, Child Marriage, Female Genital Mutilation, Unintended Pregnancy Expected due to the COVID-19 Pandemic

        Views 567

        Guidance Note 3: How Can VAW Prevention Programs Adapt? : Series on Preventing VAW During the COVID-19 Pandemic

        The COVID-19 crisis is a destabilizing time, deepening social inequalities and increasing violence against women (VAW). This is also a moment of significant unpredictability and many are experiencing fear, anxiety, and anger as a normal response to these rapid changes. Certain groups are more vulnerable to pandemic-related hardships and consequences, including women, LGBTIQ people, people living with chronic illnesses and other disabilities, people reliant on daily wages,among others. Further, within the COVID-19 response, women providing essential services—from health care provision to cleaning to vendors in the market—are particularly impacted and at risk of violence. These vulnerabilities compromise our collective well-being, as individuals, organizations, and movements to prevent VAW. We recognize –and insist—on the importance of caring for ourselves and each other during COVID-19 as a political act that is integral to our social justice activism, resisting the patriarchal norms and other systemic oppressions that value certain people over others.

        Source: Guidance Note 3: How Can VAW Prevention Programs Adapt? : Series on Preventing VAW During the COVID-19 Pandemic

          Views 668

          Guidance Note 4: How Can VAW Prevention Programs Adapt? : Series on Preventing VAW During the COVID-19 Pandemic

          COVID-19 poses many safety risks for staff, organizational partners, and community members working to prevent violence against women. For many settings, it is likely that community mobilization activities will need to be suspended or substantially adapted during this time. Before continuing with any programming, it is essential to comprehensively assess potential risks in order to determine safety and feasibility.

          Source: Guidance Note 4: How Can VAW Prevention Programs Adapt? : Series on Preventing VAW During the COVID-19 Pandemic

            Views 505

            COVID-19: How to Protect Yourself and Stop the Spread of the Virus Video

            Using plain language and informative images, this short, animated video about COVID-19 is intended for non-English-speaking audiences with limited or no literacy and highlights the main symptoms of the disease, prevention tips, and steps to take if the viewer feels sick. It is available in 15 languages (Amharic, Arabic, Burmese, Dari, English, Farsi, French, Kinyarwanda, Nepali, Russian, Somali, Spanish, Swahili, Tigrinya, and Ukrainian).

            Source: COVID-19: How to Protect Yourself and Stop the Spread of the Virus Video

              Views 624

              Developing Key Messages for Communities on GBV and COVID-19

              This document is meant as a starting point for the field colleagues to support them in ensuring communication to communities around COVID-19 includes gender-based violence (GBV).

              Source: Developing Key Messages for Communities on GBV and COVID-19

                Views 649

                Not just hotlines and mobile phones: GBV Service provision during COVID-19

                As countries across the globe struggle to manage the COVID-19 pandemic, concerns are being raised about the effect of the pandemic on Gender Based Violence (GBV) in all countries affected by the COVID-19 pandemic.

                Source: Not just hotlines and mobile phones:GBV Service provision during COVID-19

                  Views 461

                  Corona Crisis: Survival Kit for Men Under Pressure

                  It is our job to support and accompany men. We know from experience that crisis situations increase the risk of losing control and becoming violent.With this survival kit we want to help you stay calm during the Corona crisis.

                  Source: Corona Crisis: Survival Kit for Men Under Pressure

                    Views 681

                    COVID-19: How to Include Marginalized and Vulnerable People at Risk Communication and Community Engagement

                    The Regional Risk Communication and Community Engagement (RCCE) Working Group is an inter-agency coordination platform established to provide technical support on risk communication and community engagement to novel coronavirus outbreak (known as COVID-19) preparedness and response in Asia and the Pacific.

                    Source: COVID-19: How to Include Marginalized and Vulnerable People at Risk Communication and Community Engagement

                      Views 764