Gender equity organisations unite on COVID-19 disaster
The peak body for gender equity, women’s health and the prevention of violence against women GEN VIC have made a joint statement calling for State and Federal Governments to recognise the gendered impacts of COVID-19. Women’s Health East is one of more than 50 organisations who have endorsed this statement.
Women’s Health East strongly supports the need for a gendered approach to understanding and responding to the impacts of the coronavirus pandemic. We recognise and value the important work of the women at the front line, delivering essential services across traditionally female dominated industries such as health care, childcare, education, family violence, housing and homelessness, social support and retail. We acknowledge the financial challenges for women who are overrepresented in the casual workforce, and those women who are juggling caring and work responsibilities while working from home. We highlight the need for women to have access to safe services for their sexual and reproductive health, and advocate for termination services to be assessed as an essential service at this time. We are very concerned about the increased risk of gendered based violence at this time.
We are committed to advocate for State and Federal Governments to recognise the gendered impacts of COVID-19.
The statement is accompanied by a list of 10 Things Government Can Do Now to address the impacts of COVID-19 on women and gender diverse people.