Why women are so important during Coronavirus for the UN?
Is there a UN agency for women?
First its worthwhile explaining how this links to the UN. One of the lesser well known UN organisations formed in 2010, primarily located in New York City at the UN headquarters is UN Women. The organisation is growing and continues to promote awareness towards its core objectives on gender equality, in part thanks to its alignment with the UN Sustainable Development goal (SDG) number 5 which focusses on Gender Equality
The organisation is run by Phumzile Mlambo-Ngcuka who is the UN Women Executive Director, its purpose as detailed on the UN women site is as follows:
‘UN Women is the United Nations entity dedicated to gender equality and the empowerment of women. A global champion for women and girls, UN Women was established to accelerate progress on meeting their needs worldwide.’
UNWomen.org
How women are affected during Covid 19?
This is an uncertain time for us all as we write this post, globally, with stock markets in turmoil, closures of many of the everyday social venues where we interact, but the larger impact this has on women cannot be forgotten. All too familiar facts and figures will begin to be compiled over the coming months which will show how topics like domestic violence will be exacerbated by Coronavirus/Covid 19. UN Women are at the forefront of creating awareness of the plight of women during these times as they make up the largest percentage of key workers globally.
“Globally, women make up 70 per cent of frontline workers in the health and social sector, like nurses, midwives, cleaners and laundry workers. We need mitigation strategies that specifically target both the health and economic impacts of the COVID-19 outbreak on women and that support and build women’s resilience, as we saw in Liberia and elsewhere. “
What are UN women doing?
UN Women released a statement on the 20th March 2020 citing some of the key areas fo their focus during these unprecedented times. The below is summarised from the press release which can be seen here.
Access to gender responsive information and collaborating with other UN agencies
Collaboration with UNFPA which has been mobilising support for pregnant women and safe conditions for childbirth.
Working with women’s organizations all over the world, for example where women, especially in highly segregated environments, can lack critical information. Here, women have organized themselves into a network that educates women and girls about keeping safe and avoiding infections.
Actions:
All of us engaged in this effort, whether public or private sector, need to take a coordinated, people-centred approach to rapidly building health system capacity in both developed and developing countries, making a conscious effort to put women front and centre.
Focus on ensuring the creation of better access to appropriate personal protective equipment for home-based caregivers, and removing obstacles to their work, by promoting flexible working arrangements, and ensuring supplies of menstrual hygiene products.
Awareness:
These needs are even more important for areas under lockdown or quarantine. So too are considerations of gender-based violence that are exacerbated by these conditions, but may not receive the attention they need, in the drive to respond to the pandemic.
Violence against women is already an epidemic in all societies, without exception.
Every day, on average, 137 women are killed by a member of their own family.
We also know that levels of domestic violence and sexual exploitation spike when households are placed under the increased strains that come from security, health and money worries, and cramped and confined living conditions.
How can you join UN Women? Can men join?
UN Women is not just for women to apply and following the #HEFORSHE campaign in June 2014, supported by the likes of Emma Watson, the agenda to involve men was made clear by the UN Women Executive Director when in Mumbai 2014 she shared the following statement
“gender equality can only be achieved if men and boys take full responsibility, working side by side with women and girls, to redress the dynamics that hinder progress.”
What resources are available to find a role at UN Women:
Review the UN Women jobs list
Or if you would like to see how you can apply to positions associated with Gender equality follow this link which will take you to the United Nations Development programme.
If you would like to learn more about UN Women follow this link
Alternatively take a quick look at the video below from their youtube channel for an overview of what UN women does.
How can UCC help with your UN cover letter & UN application?
If you would like any help with your UN cover letter, career coaching or are interested in joining our next future leaders event in September please follow this link to our services page.