Coronavirus disease (COVID-19) outbreak. Regional Office for the Western Pacific

Since 2 January 2020, the three levels of WHO (China country office, Regional Office for the Western Pacific and headquarters) have been working together to respond to this outbreak of COVID-19. On 30 January, WHO declared the outbreak a Public Health Emergency of International Concern (PHEIC). On 11 March, WHO Director General characterized COVID-19 as a pandemic.

The COVID-19 Outbreak and Gender: Key Advocacy Points from Asia and the Pacific

In this briefing note you can find information about emerging gender impacts of the coronavirus (COVID-19) outbreak as well as recommendations as to how to respond in a gender sensitive way. The first six recommendations are (please open the link to see the full list of recommendations):

• Disaggregate data related to the outbreak by sex, age, and disability
• Country strategic plans for preparedness and response must be grounded in strong gender analysis, taking into account gendered roles, responsibilities, and dynamics
• Strengthen the leadership and meaningful participation of women and girls in all decision-making
  processes in addressing the COVID-19 outbreak
• Ensure that women are able to get information about how to prevent and respond to the epidemic in ways they can understand
• Ensure human rights are central to the response
• First responders must be trained on how to handle disclosures of GBV