BOOK:GLOBAL RAPID GENDER ANALYSIS FOR COVID-19

link: https://www.care-international.org/files/files/Global_RGA_COVID_RDM_3_31_20_FINAL.pdf

GLOBAL RAPID GENDER ANALYSIS FOR COVID-19

https://en.unesco.org/news/mapping-online-articles-covid-19-and-gender

The authors of this report are: Christina Haneef, Emergency Response Specialist – Gender in Emergencies Anushka Kalyanpur, Team Lead – Sexual and Reproductive Health Rights in Emergencies.

Key Findings on the Gender Impacts of the COVID-19 Crisis Include:

Demographic data: While data about the gender and age impacts of COVID-19 is emerging, it is incomplete. COVID-19 shows greater direct risks for people over 60, as well as those with underlying medical conditions. From the limited sex-disaggregated data available, it seems that men are at a slightly higher risk with regards to morbidity than women, and at 51%, men make up a slight majority of the infected. 

Care-giving burden: Women perform the vast majority of unpaid care work—more than three times as much as men.3 During public health crises such as COVID-19, this labor will often involve taking care of sick family members, and in the case of school closures, looking after children. 

Gender, age, intersectionality, and unequal access to health care: Intersectional gender analysis shows that key groups are at direct and indirect risk from COVID-19. This includes the specific vulnerabilities of older people and people with disabilities, as well as the threat of increased racism against people of specific ethnic groups erroneously associated with the virus. 

Women health workers: Female health workers face a double caregiving burden—one at work, and one at home. In the workplace, women are, on average, paid less than their male counterparts and less likely to be in a management position. They also risk stigmatisation due to caring for COVID-19 patients. 

“Gender inequities exacerbate outbreaks, and responses that do not incorporate gender analysis exacerbate inequities.”15

(p.5)

Methodology 

A Rapid Gender Analysis is built up progressively, to understand gender roles and relations and how they may change during a crisis. Therefore, this initial analysis should be built on as the crisis evolves. This report should be read with CARE International’s recently released Policy Brief, “Gender Implications of COVID-19 Outbreaks in Development and Humanitarian Settings,”16 and the Gender in Humanitarian Action Working Group (GiHA) Advocacy Brief, “The COVID-19 Outbreak and Gender: Key Advocacy Points from Asia and the Pacific.”17 From 12–20 March 2020, a brief secondary data analysis and write-up was undertaken to analyse and explore the current and potential gendered dimensions of the COVID-19 pandemic. The report provides recommendations for the humanitarian system and humanitarian actors to ensure consideration of the gendered dimensions of risk, vulnerability, and capabilities in response and preparedness to this crisis, with a lens toward enabling support for existing humanitarian needs. This report does not aim to answer questions about the epidemiology and pathology of COVID-19.

(p 6)

Gendered Impact of the Crisis: Roles and Responsibilities

Caregiving Burden: Globally, women perform 76.2% of the total hours of unpaid care work, more than three times as much as men.26 During public health crises such as COVID-19, this may involve taking care of sick family members. As health systems—particularly weak ones—become overwhelmed, women will likely bear the burden of caring for patients that the health system cannot, increasing women’s risk of exposure to the virus.

(p.8)

Weak workplace protections: 

Women disproportionately hold jobs in industries with poor protections and few benefits, such as paid family leave and paid sick leave.30 It is likely that female overseas domestic workers and members of the gig economy will be particularly affected. Travel bans and quarantine measures can affect migrant workers’ ability to travel to their jobs.31 Many migrant women do not have employment contracts and therefore if they cannot work, they may not get paid. Conversely, this also intensifies their dependence on their employers for information, support, care, housing, and essential supplies, increasing their potential vulnerability.32 Movement restrictions may also impact women who work in the gig economy, as they are unable to go out to work.33

(p.9)

 Gender, Age, Intersectionality and Unequal Access to Health Care

Poverty and health

In countries or sectors where employees do not have health benefits, paid sick leave, or support for child and/or family care, COVID-19 will affect personal and household income, as well as the ability to travel to and/or pay for healthcare, including Sexual and Reproductive Health and Rights (SRHR).36 As governments encourage social distancing, government social welfare systems and public transport may be suspended, meaning that people may be less able to access health services.

People with disabilities

COVID-19 poses an increased risk of fatalities and indirect social consequences that are likely to affect older people in specific ways. One study found that approximately 25% of older adults fit the definition of socially isolated before COVID-19. 38 The social distancing and quarantine tactics used to limit the transmission of COVID-19 can have harmful effects on the physical and mental health of older persons. The links between old age and chronic illness also highlight the importance of continued health and medical care for this group. The level or frequency of care for older persons may be affected if care workers become sick or are required to self-isolate.39People with disabilities 

Older people

Persons of all ages who identify as having a disability are likely to face challenges during the pandemic, although women with disabilities face specific concerns, such as increased risk of GBV. Many people who require care and/or support workers to provide day-to-day or round-the-clock care have expressed concerns over whether care workers will be able to continue to provide support. 40 Simultaneously, there are also concerns as to whether care workers could potentially bring the virus into the home due to their contact with other vulnerable persons.41 Where parents or caregivers have been quarantined, unaccompanied or separated minors, people with disabilities, or older people may be refused care due to fear of infection.42

Older people

COVID-19 poses an increased risk of fatalities and indirect social consequences that are likely to affect older people in specific ways. One study found that approximately 25% of older adults fit the definition of socially isolated before COVID-19. 38 The social distancing and quarantine tactics used to limit the transmission of COVID-19 can have harmful effects on the physical and mental health of older persons. The links between old age and chronic illness also highlight the importance of continued health and medical care for this group. The level or frequency of care for older persons may be affected if care workers become sick or are required to self-isolate.39

Refugees and migrants

Globally, there are more than 20 million refugees, 84% of whom are being hosted by low- or middle-income nations with weaker health and water and sanitation systems.43 Those living in camps and informal settlements often face overcrowded conditions, limited health services, and lack access to sanitation facilities and water supplies, contributing to increased likelihood of COVID-19 transmission.44 Measures to contain COVID-19, such as the closure of formal border crossings, will likely result in increased use of informal crossings, in turn intensifying barriers to healthcare for these groups, and reducing the ability of epidemiologists to track the spread of COVID-19.45

(p 2)

People with disabilities:

Persons of all ages who identify as having a disability are likely to face challenges during the pandemic, although women with disabilities face specific concerns, such as increased risk of GBV. Many people who require care and/or support workers to provide day-to-day or round-the-clock care have expressed concerns over whether care workers will be able to continue to provide support. 40 Simultaneously, there are also concerns as to whether care workers could potentially bring the virus into the home due to their contact with other vulnerable persons.41 Where parents or caregivers have been quarantined, unaccompanied or separated minors, people with disabilities, or older people may be refused care due to fear of infection.42

(p 3)

Refugees and migrants: 

Globally, there are more than 20 million refugees, 84% of whom are being hosted by low- or middle-income nations with weaker health and water and sanitation systems.43 Those living in camps and informal settlements often face overcrowded conditions, limited health services, and lack access to sanitation facilities and water supplies, contributing to increased likelihood of COVID-19 transmission.44 Measures to contain COVID-19, such as the closure of formal border crossings, will likely result in increased use of informal crossings, in turn intensifying barriers to healthcare for these groups, and reducing the ability of epidemiologists to track the spread of COVID-19.45

(p 3)

Social-, sexual-, and gender-minority groups

Minority groups experience additional barriers to accessing health care and social support systems. LGBTQI+ individuals, particularly older persons, are less likely than their heterosexual and cisgender peers to be able to access programs and healthcare due to discrimination, unwelcoming attitudes, and a lack of understanding from providers.46 The same is true of people working in marginalized professions, such as sex workers, who also face many of the same barriers of attitude, knowledge, and service.

(p 3)

Racism

Increasingly, reports of mistreatment of and prejudice against people who are or are perceived as being Asian, due to myths that they could be a source COVID-19.47,48 As the COVID-19 crisis continues, this discrimination and prejudice could expand to other groups perceived to be from areas where the virus is developing. As of March 18, there were reports of this occurring in countries across Europe, North America, and West Africa, among others. Furthermore, the fear of stigmatisation and discrimination due to association with the disease is a common response, and this fear compromises the well-being of individuals.49 The fear of discrimination or experience of actual discrimination can affect health-seeking behaviour as well as health service provider attitudes. These concerns will be further compounded for refugees, migrants, IDPs, and homeless and street-entrenched populations who are, even at the best of times, often subject to xenophobic policies and attitudes.

(p 4)

Gender-based Violence

Lockdown and violence:

GBV services:

 Sexual exploitation and abuse:
 

Decision-making and Leadership

Household Power: 

Women’s participation in community decision-making:

Women’s voices:

Access to Information 

Unequal access to mobile phones:

Mobile phones are a critical way of connecting with information and with others around the world. As countries emplace movement restrictions and prevent women and girls from physically accessing safe spaces and services, it is important to understand how gender affects access to mobile phones. While women’s access to mobile phones has increased globally, women in low- and middle-income countries are 10% less likely than men to own one. The Global System for Mobile Communications (GSMA) estimates that there are 443 million “unconnected” women in the world.105 Women also have a lower awareness of mobile internet and services than men across almost all low- and middle-income countries. For example, women in South Asia are 28% less likely to own a mobile phone than a man.106 In refugee populations, data is even more stark. In Tanzania’s Nyarugusu refugee camp, research showed a 42% gender gap in mobile phone ownership.107

Recognizing the gender-gap:

Research conducted by Translators Without Borders highlighted the gender gap in comprehension of Ebola-related community messages.108 This proves the necessity for hyper-localised key messages, particularly in contexts with low literacy levels and linguistic diversity. Further, not only were women sometimes disadvantaged in terms of access to and comprehension of key messages, they are also frequently hampered in their ability to carry out recommendations precisely because of their gender. For example, while prevention protocols dictated that contact with suspected Ebola cases should be avoided, women were typically expected to care for the sick at home and/or accompany them to hospital, whereas men were not.109 This highlights the need for those creating messaging to consider and adapt those messages to the roles and responsibilities of men and women to ensure effective prevention and response measures.

Access to inclusive information: 

There have already been reports that messaging around COVID-19 presents challenges for persons who identify as having a disability and that adapted and inclusive messaging is not being systematically applied throughout responses to COVID-19.110 One example referred to Canadian Prime Minister Trudeau’s recent address to the nation, which did not include sign language interpretation. 111

Recommendations 

A Rapid Gender Analysis is designed to be updated as the situation evolves and new information becomes available. This is particularly important given the lack of gender and intersectional data currently available on the different impacts of COVID-19. 

Humanitarian analysis and assessment 

• Collect sex- and age-disaggregated data for COVID-19: Systematically collect sex- and agedisaggregated data on the direct and indirect effects of COVID-19. Additional disaggregation by identified at-risk groups, such as pregnant women, should be prioritised. 

• Support the development of local and regional Rapid Gender Analyses on COVID-19: CARE will support such analyses, using context specific primary and secondary data to support local efforts to prevent and respond to both the outbreak and its economic and social fallout. 

• Include gender indicators in sectoral assessments for COVID-19: To assess the impacts and trends of the virus on different groups, and to ensure effective programming and advocacy, humanitarians should consider gender implications while conducting sectoral assessments. Initial sector-specific recommendations are outlined in the CARE COVID-19 Policy Paper and in the IASC Gender Alert for COVID-19. 

• Provide inter-agency, multi-sectoral gender analyses: Such analyses should be prepared as soon as data is available. The findings must be made widely available across the humanitarian, public health, and government sectors to inform multi-level, gender-inclusive responses.

Decision-making and leadership 

• Build on local community capacities of women, men, and adolescent boys and girls: Engage with existing informal and formal social networks such as women’s groups, community groups, civil society organizations, and women’s right organisations to support their efforts as first responders and their solidarity efforts to prevent social isolation. 

• Establish and/or strengthen inclusive community outreach strategies: Humanitarian actors should collaborate with community-based organizations to ensure messaging is localized, evidence-based, clear, and grounded in positive, social norm change stories that address the unique needs of sub-groups of affected populations. 

• Support two-way, community-based risk communication and accountability approaches: Leverage the capacities of community groups, particularly women’s groups, to support two-way risk communication approaches in order to dispel myths and misinformation about COVID-19. Where feasible, engage them to support local surveillance systems.112 

• Address gaps in women’s participation in decision-making in the workplace: Work with employers, including health care providers, to address the specific risk of COVID-19 exposure to women and to take into account women’s heightened unpaid care work responsibilities. 

• Ensure coordination and decision-making bodies are gender-balanced and inclusive: Meaningfully engage women, adolescent girls, and marginalized groups in leadership and decision-making roles throughout the COVID-19 preparedness and response by using quotas, targets, and other mechanisms at global, national, and local levels. 

• Use existing gender analysis and include gender specialists: Decision-makers and those coordinating response efforts should use existing gender analyses and include gender specialists at all levels to inform COVID-19 preparedness and response measures.