The Women 20 (W20) group issued an urgent statement strongly endorsing the extraordinary G20 Leaders’ Summit convened to discuss the need for an immediate response to the COVID-19 pandemic and its human and economic impacts.

The W20 commended the efforts of G20 leaders to curb the spread of COVID-19 and to propose policies that protect people and safeguard the global economy, recognizing that cooperation among G20 countries is urgently required.

The Women 20 group urged that policies and public health efforts address the gendered impacts of disease outbreaks. Experts have found that pandemics exacerbate gender inequalities affecting women and girls and can impact their access to treatment and care. Women and girls face a range of risk factors that must be urgently addressed. Due to their predominant roles as caregivers within households and as frontline healthcare workers, women are more exposed to the virus. Women also make up a disproportionate share of workers in sectors and roles that are most affected during economic downturns and that offer less social protection.

In concluding its statement, the Women 20 group emphasized that G20 leaders have an opportunity to develop policy responses to the pandemic that lay the foundation for equitable economic opportunities between genders and contribute to eliminating gender inequality.

For more information: https://www.w20saudiarabia.org.sa/en/Pages/default.aspx