By Lloyd Takawira
International movement, OXFAM has said the Covid-19 pandemic has created room for violations of women’s right in many countries.
In it’s latest findings, Oxfam said globally, women are likely to continue suffering as they dominate the economic sectors that have been largely affected by the pandemic.
The organization said women and girls have suffered a lot thus tearing away the gains of the past.
According to Oxfam the pandemic has birthed many crisis’ such as, “discrimination through lived experiences of race, gender, and class”.
OXFAM added that women and girls are facing precarious livelihoods problems due to continuous lockdown measures.
“In several countries, evidence shows that women, have seen their livelihoods put at great risk and that they have been most severely affected by the economic effects of Covid-19”.
OXFAM estimated that over 47 million women have been pushed to poverty.
“It is estimated that 47 million women and girls have been pushed into extreme poverty since the declaration of the pandemic.
“World-wide , 740 million women work in the informal economy an during the pandemic the informal economy has been affected by the pandemic.”
The Covid-19 pandemic has also exacerbated the exclusion of women and girls from quality healthcare and education.
“COVID-19 has disrupted health systems and is rewinding efforts to meet needs in sexual and reproductive health. Globally, women and girls have reported having reduced access to services, which increases the risk of unwanted pregnancies, sexually transmitted diseases, and complications during pregnancies, delivery and abortion. There are global predictions of up to 7 million unintended pregnancies worldwide due to COVID-19 and its measures.”
The organization also reported that the rate of maternal deaths increased from 8% to 39% and millions of girls have entered into child marriages.
“It is estimated that the rate of maternal deaths have increased between 8% to 39% per month due to covid-19 related reduction of perinatal care.
” Globally , 13 million more child marriages are projected to take place by 2030 , due to school closures and the increased poverty resulting from the pandemic.
“Violence against women and girls has rapidly increased in the wake of the movement restrictions linked to the pandemic. Support services for women and girls being faced with violence were hard-hit due to reduction in prevention and protection efforts and social services.”
The effects of the Covid-19 pandemic have been felt across the globe. Development experts’ are projecting that the world will need years to recover.