COVID-19’s impacts around the world are worse than they were in September 2020. Far from a return to “normal,” women and girls are saying that their situation continues to get worse. Fati Musa in Nigeria says, “Women have suffered a lot during the pandemic, and we are not yet recovering from this hardship.” 55% of women reported gaps in their livelihoods in 2020. Now that number is 71%. For food insecurity, the number has jumped from 41% to 66%. 63% of women say that their greatest need is mental health support. Women have stepped up to the challenge. "We are women leaders in emergency . . . we have the capacity to say: I have a voice and a vote, I am not going to stay stagnant . . ." (Colombia). In Niger, women are saying, “Now we women are not afraid to defend ourselves when a decision does not suit us.” The constant struggle is taking its toll. Women are almost twice as likely to report mental health challenges as they were in 2020. As one woman in Iraq describes, “If any opportunity appeared, the man would be the favorite . . . This psychologically affected many women...” This report represents the voices of more than 22,000 people in 23 countries since September of 2020.
A CARE multi-country study analyzing government-supported community health worker programs in Bangladesh, Ethiopia, Guatemala, Nigeria and the United States using the CHW Assessment and Improvement Matrix (AIM) found that insufficient funding of these programs affects remuneration and other incentives for community health workers but also leads to inadequate resources for training, data collection, and equipment and supplies. This negatively impacts community health workers’ motivation, retention, and recognition and, in general, poses major barriers to achieving Universal health coverage and the Sustainable Development Goals. Governments must step their support and investment in community health workers, properly integrate them into health systems and ensure a broader enabling environment for them to unleash their full potential. Read More
Increases in global conflict, the economic impact of COVID-19, market inflation, and the growing effects of climate change are compounding global crises. Those crises disproportionately affect the most vulnerable communities, especially women and girls. Addressing the unprecedented and overwhelming humanitarian crisis requires response and recovery efforts to listen to and address the needs of those affected the most, especially women and girls. Read More
Women and Girls Safe Spaces (WFSS) is a vital approach during emergencies, as they offer safety, well-being and empowerment to crisis-affected women and girls. Learn more in this two-page overview of Women and Girls’ Safe Spaces (WGSS) approach. Read More