[Paris/Ouagadougou, May 19, 2020] – 85 associations mobilized in West Africa have signed the call to action launched by Equipop. In four key measures, they call on political leaders to place social justice and gender equality at the heart of the response to the COVID-19 pandemic.
Our organization, Equipop, joins this appeal, which is being published simultaneously in nine countries: Benin, Burkina Faso, Canada, Côte d'Ivoire, France, Guinea, Mali, Niger, and Senegal.
We echo the words of United Nations Secretary-General Antonio Guterres, who stated on April 9 that while the COVID-19 pandemic affects everyone, everywhere, it affects certain groups more than others. It reveals and exacerbates structural inequalities and undermines hard-won progress in gender equality.
One month later, this call has not been sufficiently heard by governments. In the urgency of the situation, responses to the pandemic favor predominantly biomedical and male-centered approaches that overlook gender issues. Economic inequalities and inequalities within the home are increasing, gender-based violence is on the rise, and fear, material obstacles, and declining financial and human resources are restricting sexual and reproductive rights.
Four key measures to promote social justice and gender equality in the response to the pandemic
- Support the participation of women and gender specialists at all levels of policy and program development and action plan implementation.
- Recognize and revalue the specific role of women in crisis management and resilience in the face of crisis.
- Prevent and address gender-based violence.
- Consider sexual and reproductive health and rights services and care as essential.
Press contact:
Louis GUINAMARD, Communications Officer, louis.guinamard@equipop.org, +33 (0)6 25 83 95 23
