LETTER

 

-----  Women & children in this pandemic

 

This pandemic and its devastating effects upon health, education, social aspects, and economy has unraveled 25 years of progress in development achievements within a year. The health, education and capital of women and children, who were already vulnerable, racialized, and underrepresented, has been drastically affected especially in low- and middle-income countries. In Canada, more than 1.5 million women live in poverty due to systemic barriers to good employment which has only gotten worse in this pandemic. It is estimated that an additional 47 million women and children will be pushed to extreme poverty worldwide. Due to this, basic health will be inaccessible to this community which has already started to happen. 

Importance and advocacy for gender equality cannot be overstated and investment in children is equivalent to investment in our future. Covid-19 threatens gains in protecting women's health and capital which is why we must come together to prevent from further damage. Canada must protect the health of women and children during the pandemic by investing CAD $250 million over 3 years in the Global Financing Facility (GFF). The strategy of GFF for 2021-2025 and their proven solutions is well positioned to efficiently aid this cause. 

Zohra Khatoon

Ottawa