Since the outbreak of the novel coronavirus – COVID-19 – in Wuhan, China, thousands of new cases are being reported every day all over the world. Over recent months, we have seen how the COVID-19 virus has pressured healthcare systems, led to a global economic shutdown, and changed our daily lives. The responses to the virus vary between countries: from denying and downplaying the virus, to social distancing and complete lockdown. Nevertheless, most national responses have one thing in common: they neglect to include a gender lens to the outbreak response.
This is not unique to the COVID-19 outbreak. Disease outbreaks affect men and women differently, and pandemics worsen existing inequalities and discrimination of marginalised groups. In the following, some critical sexual and reproductive health and rights (SRHR) and gender equality issues impacted by the COVID-19 pandemic will be presented and country-specific highlights for Share-Net International focus countries Bangladesh, Jordan and the Netherlands are presented.
