GENDER IMPLICATIONS OF COVID-19 OUTBREAKS IN DEVELOPMENT AND HUMANITARIAN SETTINGS

Until recently, the transmission of COVID-19 to developing countries or those experiencing ongoing humanitarian emergencies had been limited,3 but such transmission is now occurring. Development and humanitarian settings pose particular challenges for infectious disease prevention and control.4 Access constraints and poor health and sanitation infrastructure are obstacles to disease prevention and treatment under the best of circumstances; when coupled with gender inequality and, in some cases, insecurity, public health responses become immeasurably more complex. CARE’s analysis shows that COVID-19 outbreaks in development or humanitarian contexts could disproportionately affect women and girls in a number of ways, including adverse effects on their education, food security and nutrition, health, livelihoods, and protection. Even after the outbreak has been contained, women and girls may continue to suffer from ill-effects for years to come. The publication includes a list of recommendations tailored to different actors.

Key wordscoronavirus outbreak (COVID-19) / gender based violence / gender inequality / gender sensitive responses / human rights / humanitarian settings / public health emergency / women and girls

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