females bear brunt of pandemic

Fatima Bulla-Musakwa

WOMEN have been disproportionately affected by the economic impact of the Covid-19 pandemic-induced lockdowns, a Cabinet Minister has said.

In an interview ahead of International Women’s Day commemorations, Women Affairs, Community, Small and Medium Enterprises Minister, Dr Sithembiso Nyoni, said Government was committed to providing support to those who have borne the brunt of the pandemic.

Zimbabwe joins the world in commemorating International Women’s Day (IWD) tomorrow amid a rampaging global pandemic that has laid waste to livelihoods.

This year’s international commemorations are themed: “Women in leadership: Achieving an equal future in a Covid-19 world”, while the local commemorations will run under the theme: “Women’s rights to decision-making vital in the face of Covid-19”.

Dr Nyoni said this year’s commemorations will focus on celebrating and increasing the visibility of women’s achievements.

“It is quite clear that the effects of the lockdown are particularly severe for women as they make up 80 percent of informal workers, whose businesses have been largely affected by the lockdown,” she said.

“Women’s unpaid care work has multiplied by three-fold as commerce and schools closed down and men, women, girls and boys became confined to the home.”

Dr Nyoni said the commemorations will offer an opportunity to raise awareness through discussion of meaningful ways to help combat the spread of Covid-19.

The day will also provide a platform to share experiences and coping mechanisms by women affected by the pandemic.

Dr Nyoni said the confinement of people in their homes in compliance with lockdown orders had resulted in increased incidence of domestic violence.

“My Ministry and its partners are committed to strengthening protection systems to prevent and respond to all forms of violence against women and girls both in the private and public sphere.”

The IWD was the first proclamation by the United Nations (UN) General Assembly in 1977 as a day to celebrate the social, economic, cultural and political achievements of women.

The day is also used as a platform to call for action to strengthen gender equality and accelerate women empowerment.

This year’s themes celebrate the efforts of women and girls in shaping a more equal future and recovery from the Covid-19 pandemic.