The pandemic undermined women and girls’ fundamental rights and we must learn lessons about its impacts to build back better and ensure these groups aren't left behind.

Empowering women and girls has proven to increase the health and well-being of the entire family and community.

Seize the opportunity to transform education by integrating new teaching methods addressing girls and young women’s unique needs for safety, health and well-being.

The COVID-19 pandemic has devastated lives around the world, 4.6 million deaths and counting. The pandemic has exposed sharp economic and social inequalities and has widened the already existing gap with the most vulnerable in society, including unequal impacts affecting women and girls by virtue of their gender.

The World Economic Forum’s Global Gender Gap report 2021 estimates there has been a step back of 39 years due to the pandemic.

Healthcare access for women and girls has been disrupted, confinement measures increased gender-based violence, and girls disadvantaged and marginalised. Worryingly, it seems we are not learning from the past, as women and girls have encountered similar issues experienced during previous health crises. During the Ebola epidemic, increases in abuse, violence and exploitation faced by women and girls were also reported.

Access to adequate health services, the ability to exercise rights and freedom, and claiming equal chances irrespective of gender are fundamental women’s rights and human rights. We must learn lessons from the pandemic to ensure these rights are upheld and respected.

Impact on sexual and reproductive health

Health systems across the world have been overwhelmed by the COVID-19 pandemic trying to keep up with the care demands, resulting in collateral damage to women’s health. Many countries failed to keep sexual and reproductive health services available, resulting in neglect and an increase in risks to women’s health.

Read more- https://www.weforum.org/agenda/2021/09/lessons-must-be-learned-from-covid-19-s-impact-on-women-s-health-and-rights/