Adverse effects of the coronavirus crisis on promoting gender equality focus of OSCE event

Persistent gender inequality might worsen due to the impact of the pandemic caused by the coronavirus if not properly addressed from the beginning, said speakers at the OSCE online discussion held on 7 April 2020. The webinar, organized by the OSCE Secretariat’s Gender Section and moderated by OSCE Senior Adviser on Gender Issues Amarsanaa Darisuren, provided a platform for the exchange of ideas and good practices on how to respond to gender-related impacts of COVID-19.

Discussion topics included the role of the security sector, the intersection of crisis and conflict-affected populations, economic vulnerability and environmental challenges. Discussions also addressed the impact on gender-based violence, including the rise in domestic violence, and specific challenges for disadvantaged groups.

Over 170 participants took part in the online event, including OSCE delegations, representatives of civil society, international organizations, and OSCE staff. Speakers and participants stressed that the crisis response to COVID-19 needs to be more inclusive and a gender perspective needs to be included from the onset.

The webinar resulted in a number of recommendations on how to develop and implement targeted gender-responsive measures and actions in response to the COVID-19 crisis. The speakers stressed that all measures and actions during this crisis should include a gender analysis. They noted the need to enhance efforts to deliver gender-sensitive security. Additionally, the protection of human rights, and awareness of the risks faced by vulnerable and disadvantaged groups, has to be increased.

The participants emphasized the importance of collaboration between rule of law authorities and protection service providers as well as the need to secure increased funding and support for local organizations providing support to victims of gender-based violence. The need to provide adequate protection and support for those combating COVID 19 in the healthcare and informal caretaking sector, civil society – disproportionately represented by women – was also underlined.

More data and analysis on gender-related impacts of the current pandemic will be available as time progresses. The OSCE plans to organize further webinars to explore gender-related issues with well-known experts from across the OSCE region.