The Impact of COVID-19 on Women - Policy Brief

This document assesses how the COVID-19 pandemic is intensifying pre-existing gender inequalities and sets priorities for response and recovery. It reports disproportionate economic shocks to women, especially those in informal and insecure work; escalating unpaid care burdens due to school closures and strained services; disruptions to sexual and reproductive health care despite women constituting about 70% of the health workforce; and surging gender-based violence during lockdowns. It advances three cross-cutting actions: ensure women’s equal representation in all decision-making; address the paid and unpaid care economy; and target women and girls in socio-economic measures such as cash transfers and expanded social protection.