ANANKE | COVID-19 & Gender Edition

ANANKE COVID19 & GENDER EDITION | 2020

DR JANE GOODALL On Industrialized Animal Farming, Rise of the Pandemics

EXCLUSIVE & REC0NSTRUCTING HUMANITY

OVERSHADOWING THE PANDEMIC

Dr. Jane at Gombe - credit Morten Bjarnhof-GANT

Safety During COVID19

REVISITING TECHNOLOGY IN THE AGE OF CORONA A roadmap to inclusion

WOMEN ON THE FRONTLINES

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WHAT'S INSIDE 6 | Enhancing women empower ment in t he t imes of COVID-19 13 | Dr. Jane Goodall On Reconst r uct ing Humanit y An interview with Primatologist, UN Messenger of Peace, Founder Jane Goodall I nstitute, Dr. Jane Goodall about mankind?s disrespect of the environment and lack of compassion for animals.

21 | Women?s Needs Must be at t he Cent r e of COIVD 19 Response and Recover y Plans 25 | Covid-19 and The Invisible Woman 29 | Psychological Reper cussions of t he Super Bug 33 | Psychosocial Consider at ions For Young Minds Dur ing COVID19 37 | Seeing is Believing A chat with Country Manager Bangladesh, The Fred Hollows Foundation, Dr. Zareen Khair 44 | St or y Fr om t he Fr ont lines 47| ?I was haunt ed for many night s by t he fear I saw in his eyes when I explained t o him t hat he needed t o be placed on a vent ilat or.?

51 | The Impact of COVID-19 Pandemic on t he Niger ian Food Syst em 55 | At t he Hear t of Car e & COVID19 Response 59| Behind Closed Door s 63 | The Spect er of COVID19 Over Indigenous People 67 | Pandemic In Pak ist an 71 | Navigat ing t he Dar k Web of COVID-19 An I nterview with President and CEO, Trafficking I n America Task Force, Jerome Elam 82 | The Fallback of COVID-19 on Women in Tech 85 | Covid-19 & Pak ist an?s Yout h Bulge 89 | Why Car eer s Mat t er in The Vir t ual Of f ice 93 | Women At Wor k in t he New Nor mal Beatriz Gasca Acevedo talks about gender equity in the corporate world and the impact of COVI D-19 on Latin American professional women.

98 | It Takes A Village...

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Edit or ial Founder | Execut ive Edit or SABIN MUZAFFAR Human Right s Advisor MELANIE BUBLYK Global St r at egy Advisor MANDY SANGHERA Senior Cor r espondent ROCHELLE DEAN Of fshor e Cor r espondent CHIAMAKA ADINNU

Ar t & Design - Sabin Muzaffar Main Images Cour tesy United Nations Pixabay Unsplash The Fr ed Hollows Foundation COVER image: Dr. Jane at Gombe - Mor ten Bjar nhof- GANT

Enhancing women's empower ment in t he t imes of COVID-19

By Sabin Muzaffar T he COV I D19 pandemic can easily be labeled as the worst global crisis since World War I I . Not only has it affected our health and well-being, but it has also wreaked havoc on communities as well as economies. But while the Coronavirus is triggering a colossal scale of human suffering, it has also exposed structural and systemic discrimination sweeping the globe and highlighting the intersections between the pandemic itself and the already existing chasms in terms of gender.

I nequalities have come to surface like never before.T he immediate and long-term consequences of Coronavirus pandemic are disproportionately impacting the lives of women and girls across the globe.I n a recently held World Humanitarian www.anankemag.com | COVID19 & Gender Edition | 2020

Forum (W HF) Webinar on Enhancing Women Empowerment in the T imes of COV I D-19, the organization brought togetherdecision-makers and opinion-formers in the public, private and non- profit sectors, as well as the next generation of partnership-builders to shed light on negative impacts of the pandemic on women and women?s economic empowerment.

Renowned Human Rights advocate, Mandy Sanghera, opened the forum by highlighting the importance of leaving no one behind and triggering an honest conversation about gender equality. ?T he economic impacts of the COV I D-19 pandemic are inherently gendered. Women disproportionately bear the brunt of work that isunpaid or low-paid and therefore un-recognized. Especially in the time of crisis, we need to remember one fact and this is we are all in this together.?

Talking about the long and short-term impact of the COV I D19 on women and girls, Genevieve Boutin, Deputy Director, Strategic Planning and Management, UNI CEF Program Division, explained: ?We do know that the impact (of the COV I D-19) is de-equalising. Women, girls, men, and boys will be affected in very different ways. Women and girls stand to lose a lot if we are not very careful and deliberate about ensuring that we continue on the progress made so far in terms of gender equity.?

Not only does the pandemic pose a direct health threat to the marginalized which are disproportionately women, but they are also exposed to greater socio-economic dangers. From a maternal and child health perspective, close to 50 million women will be unable to access contraceptives over the next six months which means there will be up to seven million unintended pregnancies, many of which would be coerced and/ or falling into the sphere of gender-based violence. Up to 6000 child deaths additional per day is estimated to occur just from the lack of maternal, child health, and critical care services for women and families to access.

According to a World Bank report, up to 100 million people will be pushed back into extreme poverty (earning $1.90 a day) and a $100 billion in capital has already left the emerging market since the COV I D-19 started. Women in businesses and entrepreneurship were already facing an SME gap of$1.5 trillion, which has now been amplified by the pandemic preventing women from accessing trade finance, working capital solutions, and non-financial support. www.anankemag.com | COVID19 & Gender Edition | 2020

With almost half of the world population under lockdown, a UN Women report testifies that violence against women and especially domestic violence has intensified since the outbreak of the COV I D-19.

Speaking about restrictions on a woman or girl?s personal agency during the W HF webinar, Anne-Birgitte Albrectsen, CEO of Plan I nternational opined, ?I t?s not the COV I D-19 that discriminates, societies do! And we are seeing some fundamental societal inequalities and discrimination being absolutely revealed in communities after communities because as the health impact, as well as the socio-economic and psycho-social impact of COV I D-19 crosses the world, age and gender implications are incredibly stark. T he girls and the young women we speak with talk about an absolute pandemic of violence. We talk about the COV I D-19 pandemic but the violence

critical as humanity stands to lose immensely especially the decades and even centuries of progress made. With the pandemic taking over not just our daily lives but all that we consume in terms of information, it becomes vital not to lose focus. ?T here are many other social issues happening amidst the pandemic. And it is sad that these are flushed down media drains because they just don?t have the prominence anymore because Corona takes up all the media space,which it does rightfully so.

But at the same time, there is so much happening in the world. So many injustices are happening and we are not being informed adequately by the media,? W HF webinar panelist Tessy Nassau, former Princess of L uxembourg,Founder and Director of Finding Butterflies Consulting and UNA-UK Patron,Social Entrepreneur, Philanthropist, UNAids Ambassador, and activist,pointed out.

I n addition to this, another grave cause of concern is the severe impact of COV I D-19 on global food, medical equipment, and medical supply chains.

According to the World Health Organization,seventy-three countries have warned that they are at risk of stock-outs of antiretroviral (ARV ) medicines as a result of the COV I D-19 pandemic. Talking about the situation, Tessy added: ?Sex workers living with HI V AI DS reveal that they are losing access to essential medicines. T reatments are difficult because of the lockdown and logistics are different. We all know that if you don't take your anti-retro medicine properly, the body builds immunity, and then it doesn't work anymore. T his is a really big problem because the HI V AI DS virus evolves and that's why we still haven?t found a solution that can finally eradicate this disease. I t keeps evolving and so the Coronavirus has definitely amplified this issue.?

"I t?s not the COVI D-19 that discriminates, societies do!"

pandemic is stark. T he inter-relation between school closures means that the safe spaces, the spaces to which the girls escape are now close and that is why we are seeing the pandemic. So this has been revealed.?

Adding, she noted: ?We also see that in a world where if you are a girl or woman, your personal power is already limited. And with economies of families stretched, we see child marriages and trafficking being driven up, so yes there are very stark consequences for the girl child.?

Mitigating the outcomes and negative impacts of any emergency, be it man-made or natural, is

With over-burdened healthcare systems and www.anankemag.com | COVID19 & Gender Edition | 2020

supply chains, the onslaught of the pandemic also falls directly on the unequal gender division of labour, especially care. I ronically the least value is placed on care work, critical not just for the survival of economies but ? as presently experienced ? also the overall well-being of communities. ?I think what the COV I D-19 pandemic and its responses are showing us is what we should have known all along; which is that the frontline is the parents, caregivers, community organizers, and services providers. I t is high time that we localize the way we work in the humanitarian sector to empower the frontlines.

We are now calling them the new frontline but they have been on the frontlines all along.

T hese are often women and we need to put tools in their hands so that they can help resolve their communities? challenges and alter these structural dynamics,? said Genevieve Boutin.

With women and girls systemically discriminated in terms of health, education, access, and financial autonomy, it is important for communities, public and private sectors, governments, and international humanitarian organizations to recognize that structural dynamics need to be altered. Tools indeed need to be given to those who are actually working on the frontlines to trigger a positive impact amidst the corona conundrum.

I t is important to acknowledge that critical services do not merely include health and education, but the entire spectrum of financial services as well. Experiences past have shown how economic upheavals adversely affect low-income women. And with the new COV I D-19 context, catastrophic repercussions abound if a response does not recognize and more importantly address gender differences in vulnerabilities to develop economic resilience. ?Women also face additional challenges that prevent them from accessing critical services, from being included digitally, financially, and commercially.

And these are further exacerbated in the COV I D19 context. Women are having even harder times. T hey are 50 percent of the times less likely to have a formal identity than men that means they often cannot receive services from banks or even government www.anankemag.com | COVID19 & Gender Edition | 2020

agencies,? revealed Vice President Humanitarian and Development Team at Mastercard, Olga Berlinsky L aBelle.

Olga further pointed out: ?Women have disparate access to technology. T hey are 10 percent less likely to own a mobile phone than men. I f they do possess one, they are 25 percent less likely to have mobile I nternet. And mobile functionality is significantly less than those gadgets belonging to men. So if we use mobile solutions, we are again exacerbating those inequalities. We are leaving women further behind even worse than they are today.?

Explaining about digital innovation at Mastercard, Olga revealed: ?Our team designs solutions to be as inclusive they can be. We aim at enabling our users through a biometric or card without needing to rely on their mobile phones. Women also have difficulties traveling far. So our solutions use digital channels to get connected, which is also really important in the COV I D response. Finally, our approach is to create a user-centric design to make sure our designs are simple so that those who are not digitally literate including women can really get the value out of it. T hese challenges are even worst during the time of COV I D. As an innovator working to provide solutions, it is critical to understand these barriers.

Talking about an inclusive response to a global, multi-dimensional crisis,Henriette Kolb, Head of Gender Secretariat, I nternational Financial Corporation ? private sector arm of the World Bank, opined: ?A lot of the solutions focus on the digital which is fabulous. We have already seen in places like Palestine that have high digital activity because of the lack of actual mobility due to the political situation; digital mobility has enabled women to remain connected. T hey are able to work and access health information. We also know that the digital gap is wide for example mobile I nternet gap is 17 percent, smartphone ownership is 20 percent, and then regionally as in South Asia, these gaps are much higher than the averages mentioned.

So when we build back the digital infrastructure, care, capital, and gender-based violence are the crucial denominators that we really need to rally

it is important for communities, public and private sectors, governments, and international humanitarian organizations to recognize that structural dynamics need to be altered. Tools indeed need to be given to those who are actually working on the frontlines to trigger a positive impact amidst the corona conundrum.

www.anankemag.com | COVID19 & Gender Edition | 2020

behind.?

I ndeed there is an urgent need to ensure that the wide chasms of inequalities are not magnified under the current situation, so as to prevent humanity from regressing and taking two steps backward. W hat this means is to work together, figuring out the way forward.

Senior Gender Advisor UNI CEF,Patty Alleman concluded:?We all need to come together and figure out what are we doing together to address some of the gaps mentioned. I think we just need to realize that it is a complex journey that an adolescent girl takes to become a young woman, moving upwards to becoming successful as an entrepreneur in the workforce. I t is important that all stakeholders ? the public and private finance sectors, humanitarian organizations, government talk to one another. From the public financing groups to multilateral local organizations, private equity; the role everyone has to play is to really move the needle to make sure that girls and young women have the opportunity to rise.?

T here are lessons to be learnt from these unprecedented times. Ensuring women?s rights and needs to be placed at the heart and center of the COV I D-19 responses is critical. T he way forward as by looking at solutions by specifically targeting the gaps and knowing all the risks. Only by dismantling structural inequalities, giving power to those central to the response can decrease the extent of damages caused by the Corona crisis.

Sabin Muzaffar is the driving force behind Ananke.

Founder and Executive Editor of Ananke, Sabin has more than 20 years of experience in print and digital media. Not only was she selected as UN Women?s Empower Women Global For Women?s Economic Empowerment 2015-2016 and as an Empower Women Mentor in 2016, Sabin was also selected as a Cherie Blair Foundation Mentor. I n 2014, Sabin launched Ananke in 2014 and is spearheading the organization?s flagship digital internship program.

She has mentored more than 40 women and girls from all over the world and believes in creating conversations about inclusion in the digital realm.

www.anankemag.com | COVID19 & Gender Edition | 2020

Ensuring women?s rights and needs to be placed at the heart and center of the COVI D-19 responses is critical.

Dr . Jan e Goodall at Gom be - cr edit GANT - M or t en Bjar n h of

COVERSTORY | ENVIRONMENT

Dr. Jane Goodall

On Reconst r uct ing

HUMANITY www.anankemag.com | COVID19 & Gender Edition | 2020

T he year 2020 has ushered in a time that unreservedly urges humanity to look within itself and seek answers, if not solutions, to the plethora of intersecting crises and burning global questions. T riggered by mankind?s gluttonous greed, the world has come to a screeching halt and is now on the brink of a total meltdown.

L ike a domino en-route to total annihilation, man?s guzzling consumerism has played a catalyzing role in accelerating industrialized animal farming. Coupled with this, the encumbering toll on our environment and habitat has been devastating. And as a result our present (and future) is paying a dreadful price.

international levels, evidence ? nonetheless ? is crystal and consequences that we are currently experiencing are proof enough of the great debacle.

Talking about mankind?s disrespect of the environment and lack of compassion for animals, Primatologist, UN Messenger of Peace, Founder Jane Goodall I nstitute, Dr . Jane Goodall talks with Sabin Muzaffar about the critical need to facilitate nature in protecting planet Earth and all its inhabitants.

W hile those propagating anti-sustainability rhetoric gainfully create a turbulent socio-political environment on state as well as

Flint and Dr Jane Photo Credit NatGeo, Hugo van Lawick

www.anankemag.com | COVID19 & Gender Edition | 2020

Pant Hoot - credit Michael Neugebauer

The current global situation is such ? the COVI D19 Pandemic, the heightened case of Australian bushfires, Climate Change etc. ? that it is high time to not just understand but work actively towards paving way for environmental reconstruction. As a scientist, what in your opinion, are some of the key elements that can make the earth habitable for life as it actually should be?

T here has to be a new mindset. I t is absurd to think we can have unlimited economic development around the globe on a planet with finite natural resources. Already in some places these resources are being plundered faster than mother nature can replenish them. As we emerge from this pandemic ? which we will ? we shall be confronting the much more terrifying threat of climate change.We need a new relationship and understanding of the natural world of which we are a part and on which we rely.We must stop destroying forests and woodlands and wetlands and so on in the name of ?progress? and somehow, together, create a new green economy.

T here are millions of jobs waiting if governments get behind developing renewable energy, regenerative agriculture and small

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scale family farms and recycling and reusing programmes.

Dr. Jane at Gombe - credit Morten Bjarnhof-GANT

From deforestation, locust infestations, human encroachments on wildlife habitats and bushfires in Australia, one the biggest concerns for scientists and environmentalists is biodiversity? Why is it so critical for life on earth especially human existence? How does it affect every aspect of human health, nutrition and even water and sanitation?

As mentioned, we are part of and rely on the natural world. And this means we need healthy ecosystems. And it is the interrelated web of life, in which every species has a role to play, that creates that healthy ecosystem.We are in the midst of the 6th great extinction, and each time a plant or animal species disappears that web of life is torn.T he extinction of even a seemingly insignificant species can lead to the extinction of another, that relied on it ? and thus there can be a ripple effect that could ? and has ? led to ecosystem collapse.T rees in particular play an important part in providing us with clean air and water, and regulate rainfall and climate. And trees, like the oceans, absorb excess CO2 from the atmosphere and give out oxygen.T he soil too is important and grasslands can also store cO2.

Zoonotic viruses and infections are transmitted to humans by animals, that is our basic understanding of it and we are actually experiencing this with the emergence of SARS and the COVI D19 pandemic. I n your opinion, is this an indication that we, humans, have destroyed or are at the brink of destroying biodiversity and the system that supports human existence?

Scientists studying zoonotic diseases have predicted a pandemic of this sort for a long time. As we destroy ever more of the natural world, animal species, along with the viruses, bacteria and other

www.anankemag.com | COVID19 & Gender Edition | 2020

pathogens they may carry, are forced into closer contact with humans.We steal their habitats, hunt, kill and eat them, traffic them. We create environments that make it easier for a virus like a coronavirus to jump from an animal to a human. Sometimes that virus invades a human cell and may create a new disease. And, as is the case with COV I D-19, that disease may infect other humans. HI V -AI DS came from butchering chimpanzees in bushmeat markets in west Africa.

MERS spilled over from a domestic camel to a human in the Middle East.SARS and COV I D-19 are both thought to have spilled over from an animal being sold in wildlife markets in China, places were many different species, from around the region and from other countries, are crowded together in unsanitary and very cruel conditions ? a perfect environment for the virus to spill over to a human.

I n the World Economic Forum COVI D Action Platform, you had said that ?We need to reshape how we think about food ? because our disrespect for farmed animals has created this situation where disease can spill over to infect human beings.? Truly, we are witnessing the repercussions of not just industrialized farming but globalization as well. Would you agree that it is not just our over consumption but lack of compassion (animals living in cramped, disease-ridden conditions in factories etc.) that has created this monoculture of animals who then are very likely to be disease transmitters? What are your thoughts on the notion of empathy?

I n the early 1960s, when I had been working with the chimpanzees of Gombe for some two years, I went to Cambridge University to do a PhD in ethology (though I had no undergraduate degree). I was told by many of the professors that I had done my study all wrong.I should not have given the chimpanzees names, but numbers. And I could not talk about them having personalities, minds or emotions ? for those were unique to humans. I was told there was a difference in kind between us and all other animals. Fortunately I had a

www.anankemag.com | COVID19 & Gender Edition | 2020

www.anankemag.com | COVID19 & Gender Edition | 2020

Credit Courtesy of the Jane Goodall Institute

wonderful teacher when I was a child who had taught me that in this respect the professors were wrong ? and that was my dog, Rusty. You cannot spend time in a meaningful way with dog, cat, horse, camel or any other animal and not know that we are part of and not separated from the rest of the animal kingdom. I was also told that it was wrong to have empathy with the animals you are studying. From the start I knew this was wrong ? and has led to a lot of cruelty in the world of science. I f you have empathy you are more likely to intuitively understand why an animal is behaving in a certain way. You can then test this with scientific logic.

Fortunately I was able to confront the professors not only with detailed descriptions of compassion and altruism (as well as brutality and violence) in the chimpanzees, but illustrate this with film material. And because of this, and the fact that chimpanzees are biologically our closest relatives (we share 98.6% of the composition of DNA with them), science has gradually moved away from that early reductionist way of thinking.

T his has opened the door to studying personality, mind and emotions in other animals.I t is now generally understood that animals are sentient beings, feeling pain and knowing emotions similar to (or the same)as those we call joy, sadness, depression, grief and so on. We need to have empathy with the billions of animals in our ?factory farms? where cows, pigs, poultry and other sentient beings are crowded together in horribly cruel and often unsanitary conditions.

T he same is true for the trafficked animals around the world and the many other cruel ways in which we treat animals.We need to realize that each animal in a factory farm, in a wildlife market, or being transported for long distances, is an individual with its own personality and emotions.

How, in your opinion, do we need to think about food? Who are the stakeholders who need to think or rather rethink what sustainability is in terms of animal farming (ethical farming if that can be considered a notion) ? where these living beings do not have to endure terrible conditions, in turn giving way to viruses to jump species?

I ntensive animal agriculture needs to be phased out. Not only because of the terrible cruelty and the risk to human health, but because of its horrific damage to the natural world.T he billions of animals must be fed, habitats are destroyed to grow grain to feed them. Massive amounts of fossil fuel are used to grow the grain ? almost all using conventional farming methods required a great deal of chemical pesticides, herbicides, fungicides and fertilizer thus damaging the soil ? and to transport it to the animals, the animals to slaughter, meat to the table. Much water is needed to change plant to animal protein, and fresh water is becoming increasingly scarce. And these billions of animals are producing a virulent greenhouse gas, methane, during digestion.

One thing, among the many, that this pandemic has taught us is the dire need to re-examine our consumption patterns ? be it food or even our life styles.

What kind of changes do we need to make to facilitate nature in protecting us not just from her wrath but from pandemics as well?

We need to move to a plant-based diet when possible and we need to understand and respect the natural world and the other animals with whom we share (or should share) the planet.We need to curb the unsustainable life styles of so many of us. Mahatma Gandhi said the planet could support human need but not human greed.We need to alleviate poverty for the very poor will cut down the last tree in a desperate effort to grow more food to feed the family, buy the cheapest junk food because they must.T hey do not have the luxury of asking how a product was made, did it harm the environment, inflict cruelty to animalsI s it cheap because of child slave labour or sweat shops.T hey cannot afford to think of how their behaviour will affect future generations because of their struggle to live in the present. And we must realize that today the human population is approximately 7.2 billion and already natural resources are being used up in an unsustainable way, and that 9.5 or 9.7 billion of us will inhabit the planet by 2050.Clearly carrying on with business as usual is not an option.Yet many leaders in government and business are just longing to get back to business as usual. Finally, we need a new definition of a successful life, unrelated to the accumulation of vast amounts of wealth and power.

www.anankemag.com | COVID19 & Gender Edition | 2020

I n 1991, I started a programme for young people, Roots & Shoots.Today it is growing in 65 countries with thousands of members from kindergarten through to university (with more adults taking part!). I t?s main message is that every one of us makes a differenceevery dayand we have a choice as to what sort of difference we make.Each group chooses three projects: to make the world better for people, for animals, for the environment. We bring young people together from different religions, cultures, ethnic groups.Usually virtually. Sharing stories and experiences they learn that more important than colour of skin, language, religion, culture is the fact that we are all part of the human family.And the values of respect ? for each other, for animals, for the environment are retained in those who have been member of R& S in school or university. Our ?alumni?. T hey are now taking their place in the adult world in politics, business, law, teaching, gardeners, parents and so on.

Young people are my main reason for hope ? they are making a huge difference as they roll up their sleeves and take action ? planting trees, cleaning streets and streams, volunteering in animal shelter, raising money for hurricane victims, writing letters to local authorities to protest developments that would harm the environment ? the range of activities depends on the age, culture, country, economic status and so on of the groups.

And because they get to choose their projects they are very enthusiastic.

Another reason for hope is the resilience of nature ? given time and perhaps some help, places we have destroyed can once again support life. T here are examples all around the world ? I have seen so many. Animals on the brink of extinction can be given another chance.

And there is our amazing human intellect. So many new innovations that can help us live in better harmony with nature. So many ways we can think of to reduce our own environmental footprint.

I ndeed we have greatly harmed the natural world, but we still have a window of time to start healing the wounds we have inflicted and at least slow down climate change.

But the window is closing. We need to get together and take action now.

www.anankemag.com | COVID19 & Gender Edition | 2020

David Greybeard and Jane Gombe - Credit National Geographic Society - Hugo van Lawick

Although the situation is grave, now especially is not the time to lose hope. We would love to finish our interview with words of wisdom from you.

OPINION | WOMEN & ECONOMY

Women?s Needs M ust be at th e Centre of COI V D 19 Response and Recov ery Pl ans Written by Women rights and Youth Specialist, Wamweru Imaya-GLADYS MUTHARA

With the increased global panic, loss, and grief as a result of the COV I D-19 pandemic, this was a video, many might have watched with absolute disbelief! I n my country, Daily Nationsays ?Kakamega traders protested the closure of a street market due to CoronaVirus?. One may wonder, do they not realise just how serious the pandemic is or don?t they read news and see just how much chaos CoronaVirus has caused? At first, I thought, yeah, they probably live in villages, stuck far away from the realities of what is happening in the rest of the world, with a new health monster, CoronaVirus, testing the sharpest of scientific brains and causing unwarranted pain and anguish for many a family, status quo aside.

Just a couple of weeks ago, I was a free citizen, traversing multiple countries, with many plans for what I thought to be a very promising year 2020.T hen boom! CoronaVirus turned everything around? .and now as I write this, I know for sure, I may not be able to see my kin, at least in months, as Kenya Airways cancels all international flights. But on a second glance, I realise that actually these traders are women, or at least the video shows a majority of women ?traders? holding trays of groceries, protesting the closure of a market. Kenya has confirmed 28 COV I D-19 cases, news that has swept the entire country with fear and panic.

T he perceived defiance by these women traders therefore is not only shocking, but for many of us would easily pass as ?ignorance by women who want to put the lives of our countrymen and women at the frontline.? T his face of defiance, in the face of pain, loss, and possible death however, must not be interpreted as sheer ignorance! Women in many developing nations are breadwinners, often working in the low income sectors, like street markets, where many are petty traders and vendors of food stuff, second-hand clothes, and heaven knows what else! With many poor broken families and single-parent households as a result of years of communities weighed down by disease outbreaks,

civil wars, terrorism, and sheer unfortunate life-loss to weak health systems, women increasingly become the face of their families, as bread winners, struggling to fend for their own children and other dependents.

T hat in Kakamega, it is women ?traders? who were protesting the closure of this market, all the more showing why. I n communities across the world, women carry the crucial yet heavy burden of caregivers.

As countries including Kenya move to close schools, women especially in marginalised areas are under pressure to do more and feed their families as school feeding programmes- which often supplement the lack of food at home- are closed. And because no one knows how long this period will stretch, many mothers can be forgiven for wanting to continue grocery vending in the street markets, despite how much health danger this in return puts them and their loved ones.

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T he risk increases further because, according to W HO?s Gender Equity in the Health Workforce: Analysis of 104 countries? Women form 70% of workers in the health and social sector?. At the frontline of the fight against CoronaVirus are nurses, nutritionists, mental health practitioners, hospital attendants, cooks and cleaners. T hese are mostly women and are often underpaid -?across the world, women are paid 16% less than men on average, and the pay gap is as much as 35% in some countries? while in the health sector alone ?an average gender pay gap of around 28% exists in the health workforce. Once occupation and working hours are accounted for, the gender pay gap is 11%)-W HO Gender Equity in the Health Workforce: Analysis of 104 countries.

At home, these women are the number one caregivers, to their immediate family members as well as their communities. One cannot help but picture the image of a nurse at the frontline of a coronavirus fight during www.anankemag.com | COVID19 & Gender Edition | 2020

the day, and a mother to her sweet little baby at night!

I t is true, we cannot even start to imagine how much of a risk this poses to loved ones, yet she has to make the hard choice between her day job and a commitment to protecting her loved ones. I ndeed, it is the reason why a second video of women, in Nyeri, Kenya, protesting the closure of yet another market makes even more sense - Daily Nation?Nyeri small scale traders protest directive to close business over COV I D-19? T he gender differential impact of COV I D-19 is even more stark when we consider constrained health resources, particularly in developing countries.

Resources ? financial, medical, and even health facilities ? are increasingly being diverted to address this global emergency. As the virus continues to gather pace and spread widely, resources that had been set-aside for maternal healthcare are likely to be diverted towards response efforts, while in some cases, expectant mothers will likely be told to keep off hospitals to reduce their risk of exposure to infection.

Already, in some countries, women?s access to often few and distant healthcare facilities has been complicated by quarantine measures, which have reduced movement and slowed down transportation.

As some women make the hard choice of staying at home during this quarantine period, the demand for pre and post-natal healthcare services, as well as contraceptives is likely to be unmet by constrained resources and movement.

Quarantine measures, schools closure, loss of paid jobs, and the exposure to CoronaVirus infection is equally likely to increase emotional pressure and anxiety, leading to domestic violence.

I n difficult times such as these, where families have to make difficult economic and health decisions, tension and disagreements are likely to flare up, with incidents of violence and divorce highly likely. I f the 2015 Ebola outbreak reports in West Africa are anything to go by, UNI T ED NAT I ONS? (T homson Reuters Foundation) mentioned: ?T he Ebola epidemic in West Africa exacerbated violence against women and rolled back access to reproductive healthcare in the region.? Further, in Guinea, data indicated a 4.5 percent increase in cases of gender-based violence since the epidemic www.anankemag.com | COVID19 & Gender Edition | 2020

including twice as many rapes, according to Sanaba Kaba, the Country?s Minister of Social Action, Women and Children, during a panel at the United Nations 59th Commission on the Status of Women. W hichever way we look at it, during emergencies such as these, women bear the brunt of it all, albeit in different ways, but mainly owing to their role as caregivers in our society.

Putting them at the center of key decision-making on response plans, in leadership, at the cash-box, and even in the field, is something we cannot wish away. To protect their health we must prioritise, if we are to adequately respond and eventually slowdown the rate of COV I D-19?s spread. T his would mean ensuring that our frontline soldiers, doctors, nurses, hospital attendants, among others, are adequately protected by giving them all the health protection gear necessary.

Equally, we must consider their increased vulnerability during these difficult times and provide emotional support, during and after this period, as many are likely to be affected mentally, the result which would replicate on children?s wellbeing. Security forces must also adopt more pro-active measures to respond to distress calls, with a renewed commitment to giving victims of sexual abuse and domestic violence a fair-hearing. T ruth is, we may not have much luxury of asking victims of sexual abuse to go for those ?intrusive medical reports? that legal officers need from us to pin down perpetrators!

Economically, however, governments and business owners must ensure female employees are especially supported during these difficult times, because many are likely to lose jobs, even if they are the sole-breadwinners. I n the same measure, as governments and other stakeholders begin to put in place measures to buffer their economies, as well as plan for recovery post-COV I D-19, we must not forget the women ?traders? of Kakamega and Nyeri, among many other women-enterprise owners, who are going to close down their businesses and lose their meagre capital and livelihood as a result. We must, therefore, commit a specific amount of resources towards helping our mothers revive their micro and small businesses, a majority which actually fuel our economies.

At the frontline of the fight against CoronaVirus are nurses, nutritionists, mental health practitioners, hospital attendants, cooks and cleaners. These are mostly women and are often underpaid -?across the world, women are paid 16% less than men on average, and the pay gap is as much as 35% in some countries? while in the health sector alone ?an average gender pay gap of around 28% exists in the health workforce.

T he fight against CoronaVirus is far from being won, as infections around the world continue rising with every second that passes. T he socio-economic and health risks rise even higher with every new infection, as more and more women continue to fight at the frontline, be it in feeding their nation or attending to the infected. I t is only fair then, that in our thoughts and actions, institutions and all people really, put women at the center. Our commitment to protecting and upholding the rights of women, as human rights, must be seen and felt, now more than ever. For My Sister # I willStayAtHome # FlattenT heCurve # SupportCareWorkers # COV I D-19Yaayaa

www.anankemag.com | COVID19 & Gender Edition | 2020

Cov i d-19 and Th e I nv i si bl e Woman

By Nida Usman Chaudhar y

www.anankemag.com | COVID19 & Gender Edition | 2020

W hen the lockdown was first imposed in March 2020, it came as a welcome break in the overly stressful and fast life which entailed school runs, work commitments, family expectations, recreational trips and the weekly utility shopping. I t seemed like a pause button had been hit and all of a sudden staying home was the only expected and the right thing to do. No need to wake up early in the morning for the children?s school, no work waiting for outside the home, no rush to meet friends or family, everything ? all social and professional commitments were on a halt while the world tried to figure out and take to digital spaces to deal with the budding pandemic.

I nitially, it was a sigh of relief from the hectic routine that had become mechanical for many and where it seemed that people were spending half of their time in commute from one chore and commitment to another. As one, mother of two stated,?with the lockdown it felt, and I do acknowledge my privilege when I say this, that a much-needed breather has come to relieve some of that accumulated stress. I got the perfect family time I had been longing for all these years, my husband was home, my children were with me and with nowhere to rush, it seemed like an extended holiday, until it really wasn?t.?

T he idea that the lockdown was a matter of relief died down as soon as it became clear that without a vaccine, life as we knew before Covid19 would be a distant dream.I n addition to that just days into the lockdown its impact on the daily workers became a serious consideration at national level for Pakistan and many people, many volunteers came forward to do whatever they could to ensure that food delivery drives were effective and that help was available to as many as possible. T he government on the other hand announced its own team of volunteers in shape of ?tiger force? but the people are yet to see them make any meaningful contribution on ground.

Gradually, many more classes of vulnerable persons came to be highlighted through efforts of different people and organizations. As frontline workers, doctors and sanitation

workers were at highest risk and most didn?t have protective gear. With compact cells and overcrowded jails, the risk of spread of disease among prisoners was highlighted and then reports of increased cybercrimes, psychological harm and gender based violence, started taking center stage.

Although, the pandemic has affected nearly 1.5 million people across the globe and more than 85,000 deaths have occurred since the disease first emerged in December last year, the Covid19 crisis however, is more than just a public health emergency as it has led to breakdown of systems that took decades to build, to secure access to fundamental rights such as education, healthcare, justice, economic growth and infrastructure with devastating social and economic impacts on vulnerable groups such as women and children.

I n a recently published policy brief by UN Women Pakistan, the gendered implications of the Covid19 crisis in light of Pakistan were highlighted drawing attention to the unique and peculiar challenges that women and children, especially girls, face during times of crisis and conflict because of their gender.

Women are for instance publishing less and are more likely to lose jobs, have the burden of increased unpaid care-work as a result of school and work closures and may suffer greater instances of gender-based violence at homes in event of lockdowns especially when support services in times of such crisis are disrupted or inaccessible. Subsequently, girls are also more likely to witness or experience violence at home and be forced to drop out of school and into early marriage, children in general may enter child labour to address the economic stress faced by families, which puts them at high risk of abuse and exploitation, and which contributes to perpetuating an intergenerational cycle of violence.

T he UN Secretary-General Antonio Guterres further highlighted the danger of the limited gains in gender equality and women?s rights made over decades at risk of being rolled back due to covid-19 pandemic. Since the impact of the COV I D19 pandemic is not gender neutral, therefore, we must not be gender blind in our

responses to the pandemic, or else women and children will carry a disproportionately higher social and economic cost than men which will deepen the pre-existing inequalities and in turn amplify its impacts on the lives of women and girls in particular.

Many women have felt the additional pressure that staying-at-home brought their way. T hey soon realized that they were working around the clock in the house and were not able to have any personal space with the added responsibility of homeschooling their children and increased time in the kitchen and other domestic chores. ?Even though, I was not waking up at 6:00 am but I had the added responsibility to homeschool my child and make most of the online classes. I am not trained to be an elementary teacher but I have had to struggle to be one because covid-19 put me at the center of responsibility for my son?s academic progress. Not that I was not assisting him earlier, but sending him off to school meant something of value. The trained faculty and environment of the school was of value. His interaction with his classmates and time outside home on his own meant something of value and the time I had while he was in care at school, was too, of value but with Covid19, I was responsible for those hours as well as all other waking hours in a day since we were locked home and had nowhere to go, no one to meet, my child would always be looking up to me to keep him entertained and engaged all throughout the day, at the cost of my own time, whatever little of it I could call it mine, that is,? said Marva who is a housewife.

For those who had work commitments outside of home were finding themselves in an even more tight spot. ?As a mother and as a woman I experienced a downward spiral in my productivity and attention spans. I was expected to push my work into the wee hours of the night or early in the morning so that the family routine would not be disturbed. The message being sent across to me was that my www.anankemag.com | COVID19 & Gender Edition | 2020

professional commitments were secondary to my duties at home and that if I wished to carry on my ?hobby?, I should sacrifice my sleep and not the family?s comfort for it,? said Ayesha who works as a freelance copywriter. ?I t is very difficult for working mothers to even talk about this cycle of stress and vulnerability that comes with the need to balance and if not, then prioritize family over work. I n the event that you fail, patriarchal structures find enough ways to guilt-trip you into wanting space and time for yourself, not necessarily only to focus on your work commitments outside the home, which are in turn considered extra as if a burden added to the baggage of your gender that your already carry, but also to just be, for yourself, your ?me-time?, because it is expected that you will be selflessly and devotedly available at all times and ?on call?no matter what,? she added.

I n this way, Covid19 has gravely highlighted the urgent need for shared responsibility at home whether or not the woman is working, because it is unreasonable to expect that a woman will be selflessly available to her family and will have no needs of her own. T he narrative of the selfless woman does not give due consideration to her person as a separate human being. Only by nurturing a more equal home can we break this cycle of blindness towards mothers as separate and distinct persons who have a right to be treated equally and hence, must be enabled to access their fundamental rights.

Nida holds LL.B (Hons) and LL.M in Law and Development from University of London.

She is an advocate for gender equality and diversity and is working to promote a more inclusive, representative and enabling environment for marginalized communities in policy and decision-making.

www.anankemag.com | COVID19 & Gender Edition | 2020

Si nce th e i mpact of th e COV I D19 pandemi c i s not gender neutral , th eref ore, w e must not be gender bl i nd i n our responses to th e pandemi c, or el se w omen and ch i l dren w i l l carry a di sproporti onatel y h i gh er soci al and economi c cost th an men w h i ch w i l l deepen th e pre-ex i sti ng i neq ual i ti es and i n turn ampl i f y i ts i mpacts on th e l i v es of w omen and gi rl s i n parti cul ar.

FEATURE | MENTAL HEALTH

Psych ol ogi cal Repercussi ons of th e Super Bug

Sabin Muzaffar writes about the psycho-social repercussions of the COVI D19 pandemic that are as far reaching as the health crisis itself.

We have all been hearing about the rise of a super bug ? facts, myths, even conspiracy theories and what have you. Many scientists, medical practitioners and even technologists warned us about being ill prepared in dealing with an imminent threat of a new pandemic. And now it is here.

W hen we first heard the news about a novel virus in Wuhan, China, it was with mixed feelings of disbelief and denial. T hen came videos of deserted streets or government-imposed lockdown, denial was slowly replaced by an uneasiness trickling in.

Fear finally had the world in its grip with the devastation in I taly. T he specter of the virus was and is still looming large all across the world and its appetite for victims remain unabated.

A global health crisis, the wrath of this pandemic overwhelms every fiber of our society.

I t has socio-economic repercussions that are as far reaching as the health crisis itself. I t has taken a toll on our collective and individual mental health and well-being, with the influx of information riddled with dis-info and misinformation as well as the ceaseless rising numbers of patients.

Coping with stress, fear and other strong, negative emotions is important to make both communities and individuals stronger. And itis certainly not untrue to claim that one of the most debilitating impact of the Coronavirus is on our individual and communal

mental health. L iving in the reality of globalization, the impact and repercussions of the pandemic is turning out to be far greater than that of the 1930?s Great Depression. To find solutions, one must take a closer look at the crises with all its intersections and most importantly under a gender lens.

Tens of millions of patients are regularly diagnosed with mental illnesses all around the world, not to forget people suffering due to a variety of ordeals and trauma that eventually lead to damaging effect on their mental well-being. And with the rise of the COV I D19, this unprecedented moment in history is not just grievously affecting people with pre-conditions, many are experiencing feelings of anxiety and aggression all across the world.

According to a report: ?Nearly half (45 percent) of adults across the country (USA) say that worry and stress related to the coronavirus (COV I D-19) pandemic are hurting their mental health, an early sign that the health and economic crises is likely to increase mental health problems and further stretch the system?s capacity.?

During a webinar on mental health focusing the COV I D19 pandemic, organized by Ananke, one of the participants talked about the uselessness of working at all especially from home. T his feeling of pointlessness of work or any other positive activity amidst a time, when everything seems to be going downhill, is very likely to trigger a fallout that is not restricted only to our physical health. And even a collective sense of loneliness, panic attacks, depression, grief or separation is just one dimension of the story. W hile domestic abuse is on the rise with reports coming in from everywhere like France, L ebanon to I ndia and Pakistan etc., closures of schools will inadvertently give rise to the potential of child abuse as well.

Staying home may mean keeping safe from the virus; but it can also translate into a victim being in an unprotected environment and in close proximity with the abuser. Be it in close physical proximity or via virtual contact. W hile the latter is most likely to occur in intimate partner dynamics though not limited to it, the latter poses a huge threat to children and unsuspecting young adults.

Case in point is Zoom bombarding. T his is a newly emerging trend not just experienced in professional set ups and meetings, but also in a classroom environment.

Zdnet.comexplained: ?Zoom-bombing, the name given to gate-crashing Zoom meetings, is now a thing. Disrupting individuals are Zoom-bombing online meetings and disturbing the

www.anankemag.com | COVID19 & Gender Edition | 2020

attendees with disturbing and violence images.?

According to a school note to parents about an occurrence in the UAE, the headmaster not only reiterated the institution?s stand about protecting their students, he reassured that all relevant security forces had been notified and strict actions were underway. T he situation was quickly handled as authorities were equipped and prepared to carry out stringent procedures.

Nations big and small are still grappling to make sense of the COV I D19 situation. But as Rochelle Dean, Ananke?s Senior Foreign Correspondent, mentioned during the mental health webinar, it is also an opportunity to strengthen awareness mechanism towards this very issue of people?s mental well-being.

I ndeed, humanity can pivot with positivity during the time of the COV I D19 through various efforts. Giving people space especially those with mental health issues at home, for example or ensuring the availability of their medicines as well as drinking enough water for healthy functioning of the body are a few examples of making that very effort, Dr. Anbreen Slama-Chaudhry explained during Ananke?s webinar.

Protecting children from an online onslaught needs parents and adults around them to be mindful of what is accessible virtually, starting with identifying age-appropriate games and apps, being extra cautious of free online educational resources, running the latest software and anti-virus programs on the computer. I t is critical to have open communication with kids and adults alike to create an atmosphere of understanding, empathy and sensitivity especially during these trying times, says UNI CEF. With the imposition of lockdowns, it has become essential for friends and well-wishers of suspected victims of violence to be more attentive to signs of trauma or suffering. And because victims are more than likely to not report an issue with the constant presence of the abuser within close quarters, it has become all the more important to discern various signs or absence of what is considered normal activities.According to Gov.UK, some signs of domestic violence include:being withdrawn, controlling finances and monitoring technology use such as social media platforms.

W hile lockdowns do play a critical role in flattening the curve, it is equally true ? and it cannot be reiterated enough ? that the crisis does need a holistic approach and all stakeholders to play their parts. And that includes each and every individual. T ime is not to play catch up but to step up, create an environment of empathy, support and understanding; moving forward for we are all in this together.

www.anankemag.com | COVID19 & Gender Edition | 2020

FEATURE| Mental Health & KIDS

Psych osoci al Consi derati ons For Young M i nds Duri ng COV I D19

M el an i e B u b l y k a mother to two

adolescents, sheds light on disruption and the

potential impact on children and adolescents during the COVI D - 19 pandemic. M elanie has her own

lived experience of upheaval due to the COVI D - 19

pandemic and is a parent of a vulnerable child with pre- existing mental health issues.

www.anankemag.com | COVID19 & Gender Edition | 2020

T he outbreak of COV I D-19 has forced our globalised world to a standstill. I t has also led to school closures throughout the world.

UNESCOestimates that these measures impact approximately 89 percent of the world?s student population, representing 1.54 billion children and youth enrolled in school or university, including nearly 743 million girls.

T he economic impacts of COV I D-19 are not yet fully known, however UNESCO expects that they will be widespread and far reaching, particularly for women and girls. T he world is amid a global health crisis that is likely to remain for some time and is having dramatic consequences on children?s lives. I n order to reduce the risk of trauma among children it isarguedthat it is imperative for nation states to adopt child centred approaches and that Governments should explain in child friendly ways the reasons behind the drastic measures that are taken, especially measures that affect children directly and profoundly, like schools closing.UNI CEFexplains that disruptions to society have a heavy impact on children; on their safety, their well-being, their future.

T he effects from the current COV I D-19 pandemic are being felt by all humans around the world and it is crucial that we take care of our mental health during this time. L ack of face to face social interaction and abrupt changes in daily routine does have a negative impact on some children and adolescent?s mental health and those with pre-existing mental health issues are especially vulnerable.

A survey undertaken by UK based children and adolescent mental health support service YoungMinds, reveals that 83% of the 2111 participants under the age of 25 felt that the COV I D-19 pandemic has made their condition worse. Participants had pre-existing mental health issues and 26% said they were unable to access mental health support; peer support groups and face-to-face services have been cancelled. Some of them find it challenging to access support via phone or online methods.

T he Convention on the Rights of the Child is an important human rights treaty of the international human rights framework that acknowledges children?s rights as human rights. I ncluded in the preamble is that childhood (childhood is defined as being any www.anankemag.com | COVID19 & Gender Edition | 2020

person under the age of 18) is entitled to special care and assistance. I t is important that we acknowledge that the COV I D-19 pandemic is a stressful and traumatic event for children and adolescents and that we validate the fear and anxiety that some of them may be going through during this time of upheaval. T he Centers for Disease Control and Prevention make clear that coping with stress will make individuals, the people they care about and their community stronger.L eeargues that as the pandemic continues, it is important to support children and adolescents facing bereavement and issues related to parental

unemployment or loss of household income. T here is also a need to monitor young people's mental health status over the long term, and to study how prolonged school closures, strict social distancing measures, and the pandemic itself affect the wellbeing of children and adolescents.

We all have a role to play in ensuring the wellbeing of children and adolescents are a priority. We need to listen to our children, let them express their worries and concerns, remind them that they are loved, limit exposure to the news cycle and ensure that information they receive is factual, embrace technologies that ensure continuity of learning.UNI CEF Australia suggests some helpful tips for parents that will help them comfort and protect their children during the pandemic. I mportantly any feelings of anxiety and stress must be validated. By having an open, supportive discussion with your children, it helps them understand, cope and even make a positive contribution for others. Parents should also maintain self-care.

There is also a need to monitor young people's mental health status over the long term, and to study how prolonged school closures, strict social distancing measures, and the pandemic itself affect the wellbeing of children and adolescents.

Every country will face their own unique challenges during the COV I D-19 pandemic, however now more than ever, we need to stand in solidarity and work together as a global community for the sake of children and adolescents. We should pay attention to children and adolescents with pre-existing mental health issues and those who are in vulnerable situations.

By working together and standing united we can address the challenges that will be barriers for the continuity of learning. I t is imperative that we address the challenges with a focus on the inherent dignity and of the equal and inalienable rights of all members of the human family because this is the very foundation of freedom, justice and peace in the world.

www.anankemag.com | COVID19 & Gender Edition | 2020

INTERVIEW | HERSTORY

Seeing is Believing

Dr Zareen Khair, country manager of the Fred Hollows Foundation in Bangladesh | I mages Courtesy T he Fred Hollows Foundation.

Gender inequality and discrimination takes place from birth, be it health, education or even an individual?s social status. Blindness, avoidable or otherwise, echoes a similar story as about 55 percent of people affected are women.

One thing the COVI D19 has exposed is how ailments and diseases discriminate on the basis of gender. The same holds true for eye health, explains Dr Zareen Khair, Country Manager of the Fred Hollows Foundation in Bangladesh. Chatting with Ananke?s Sabin Muzaffar, Dr Khair talks about her life?s work that focuses health, primary eye-care under a gender lens and how an inclusive, gender-sensitive vision can trigger women?s economic empowerment. www.anankemag.com | COVID19 & Gender Edition | 2020

WOMEN ON THE FRONTLINES

Tell us a little about your self and the jour ney that led to the Fr ed H ollows Foundation?

I graduated from the University of Mysore and received my PhD in Anthropology. I also hold a Bachelor?s and a Master?s Degree in Sociology from University of Chittagong, Bangladesh. I have more than 30 years of experience in global health, covering adolescent reproductive health, HI V / AI DS, Nutrition, behavior change communication, social marketing, maternal child health, and research.

Studying anthropology has been a catalyzing element as it relates to people and enables me to have a very broader vision especially in my line of work. I have had the opportunity of working for national and international organizations focusing on multiple programs related to women as well as other vulnerable groups in the late 80s and early 90s. I n 1992, I began my 13 year journey with the USAI D. With a huge portfolio of work experience covering maternal and child health as well as HI V AI DS, I joined the Fred Hollows Foundation in 2008. Prior to joining the Foundation, I had no related experience of the primary eyecare sector. But my work essentially focuses on a broader level of implementing programs and ensuring quality services. We have rolled out successfully running eye health programs in collaboration with the public sector, NGOs, with a special attention to the female garment workers and women and girls in general. www.anankemag.com | COVID19 & Gender Edition | 2020

Tell us mor e about the Fr ed H ollows Foundation and its wor k in Bangladesh?

I established an office here in Bangladesh when I joined the Fred Hollows Foundation and later became the country manager. We now have 90 people working here. I am currently responsible for overseeing the implementation of eye healthcare projects in four divisions in Bangladesh including Chittagong, Barisal, Khulna and Dhaka covering more than 32 districts and more than 50 million population. T hrough our survey and research, we found out that this is where you get the most vulnerable people.

I n your opinion, what is the one single ingr edient that can help pr ogr ams like pr imar y eye car e ser vices by the Fr ed H ollows Foundation to gain momentum?

T he focus has always been to offer quality services. And one of the key barriers come from cultural norms, mindsets with deeply entrenched superstitions that many a times deter people from getting medical help.

For any program to gain momentum and find success, it needs to be done not just at the grassroots, it needs representation. I nvolving a Bangladeshi native like myself, an anthropologist with a wealth of experience in terms of gender and vulnerabilities in the healthcare sector enabled us at the Fred Hollows Foundation to accomplish the vision of saving sight and moving towards its goal of eliminating avoidable blindness.

T r ue, super stition as well as our ver y own belief systems can pose ser ious hur dles when it comes to pr ogr ams focusing gender equality in healthcar e.

I ndeed, in cultures steeped in patriarchy, a broader vision needs to be embraced. Empowerment begins with the support of men. T he notion of HeForShe is critical for any society aspiring inclusion and representation. I n order to reach the woman and empower her, you have to reach the man first.

So even for our programs to work, we make sure that men are on board. We engage with them and make them see the benefits of empowering women and the importance of taking care of their www.anankemag.com | COVID19 & Gender Edition | 2020

well-being. Women are actually assets and not liabilities.

I t is not an unfamiliar tr uth that our male counter par ts ar e given pr efer ence when it comes to some of our most basic human r ights, that is access to health and education etc. W hy is it impor tant to speak about equal access to eye-car e?

A woman contributes to the well-being of the family through unpaid care work.

Regaining eye sight not just means regaining her confidence, but the ability to work productively.

We can also take another example of the girl child. With proper eye sight, girls get better results at school. And when they do get good results they are not even taken out from schools. T hink of the immense socio-economic and familial benefits that society as a whole can reap from an educated woman.

Many a times, women over the age of 50, who are more likely to develop cataracts, seldom receive eye care services as they are unfortunately deemed as useless members of society. But if they do get help, they assist in care-work responsibilities at homes when all other members are out for work. So it really is about optics and how to make families see the benefits of empowering a woman with clear vision. www.anankemag.com | COVID19 & Gender Edition | 2020

We talk about having women in leader ship r oles. W hy is it so impor tant to have r epr esentation and a gender str ategy?

I really believe it is crucial to have gender strategies in place for any program to work successfully and be sustainable. And this comes in shape when you have a dialogue with your team members. I want to put one thing on the record and say that having a woman on board lends a female perspective, a representative voice giving any initiative a holistic view. And this is how we made our program successful and gained so much respect and credibility in the eyes of the public sector, NGOs as well as those benefitting from the program.

I t is actually through representation that we understand the cultural and social sensitivities of our beneficiaries. I t starts with being mindful of women?s needs when receiving an eye checkup, including segregated areas for checkups as well as nursing facilities for mothers. We were mindful of putting these in place to make sure women have an easy access to services and equal opportunities to visit the eye doctor with comfort and care. We also introduced special women?s only screenings day such as Women?s Day. I t is really important for us to see if those coming in for treatment are satisfied or not with the services offered.

You have also r eceived the L 'OCCI TANE Sight Awar d for I nnovation for a pr oject aimed at r educing the gender gap in eye car e in the r ur al ar eas of Bangladesh. We would love to know mor e?

I t is an immense honor to receive recognition for the work one does. T hrough the project, the Foundation works in partnership with women?s health and women?s rights organizations, up-skilling of maternal workers with eye care skills, to reach more rural women and children with primary eye care and information.

Our programs ensure screenings are conducted in schools to catch eye issues right at the start and that too especially in girls. We have installed eye testing charts, along with pictorial guides in schools at specified corners where students can do a self-screening and find out. I t is called a self-detection corner. We bring all the teachers, the principal and the school administration together and give them an orientation as to how they should go about it. We make sure that we bring the services to them so that they actually benefit.

T he doctors also make routine visits, screen the students and give them spectacles as and when needed. We applied a similar strategy in garment factories.

T he Foundation?s gr oundbr eaking? ?

pr ogr am

focusing

female

gar ment

factor y

wor ker s

is

T hrough our baseline survey, we found out that six out of 10 garment factory workers were suffering from issues of the eye, not just related to sight but dry eye syndrome etc.

www.anankemag.com | COVID19 & Gender Edition | 2020

T his is a common occurrence because of the scope of the work. And because the female garment worker?s salary is based on the number of products she finishes, it becomes vital to have clearer vision and of course better eye care.

I t wasn?t very easy to penetrate the garment factories because these organizations are for-profit so we needed them to understand that looking after the well-being of their worker meant more productivity.

Another aspect when dealing with garment factory workers was the fear in the employees that they might be fired if they wore spectacles. So we engaged with the factory management and owners and made them understand how a clearer sight increases productivity and it benefitted them. I t was important for everyone to see how the program was entirely beneficial for each of them.

With the wor ld dealing with the COV I D19 cr isis, what kind of optics do we need to view health and well-being and by extension eye health?

Eye health like everything else, and especially the COV I D19, need to be viewed with an intersectional approach. Narrowing the gap in eye health means not just reaching out to rural and urban women, but also the indigenous woman, transgender and the sex workers, and all the marginalized professionals. T here are inequalities even within the same gender. And with the current Coronavirus crisis, we need to have a multi-stakeholder approach if we are to deal the situation at hand.

T he COV I D19 has created a huge challenge especially in the public sector from access to PPEs, maintaining safe distance to providing access to healthcare services. We are very mindful of taking precautions and have strategies in place. Not a single thing can go wrong because if there is even a rumor of a facility hit by the coronavirus, it can be damaging to our cause. T hat said, necessity is the mother of invention so we are looking at ways to overcoming challenges. Humanity will make it through these hard times.

www.anankemag.com | COVID19 & Gender Edition | 2020

FRONTLINE | HERSTORY

Mahamuda Mukul, 45, at home in Barishal Sadar, Bangladesh.

St or y Fr om t he Fr ont lines Frontline eye healthcare worker tests positive for COVI D-19.

Mahamuda Mukul, 45, is a senior ophthalmic nurse and a mother-of-2, who tested positive on 11 June 2020. Mahamuda had been working at T he Fred Hollows-supported diabetic retinopathy zone at Sher-E-Bangla Medical College Hospital in Barishal, Bangladesh since 2017. She is the first case of front-line eye health care worker being exposed to the virus. She lives with two of her children in Barishal Sadar. Her husband, 48, is a farmer, and had to move away to secure a source of livelihood to support his family.

A roadmap toforinclusion Earlier this month, Mahamuda felt unwell continuously a few days. She developed fever, cough and chest tightness and suspected that she might have contracted coronavirus. Mahamuda saw her doctor and was tested and told she had coronavirus. She was very upset.

Mahamuda suffers from asthma which makes her more vulnerable and her symptoms worse.

Fortunately, she did not develop severe coronavirus symptoms that required hospitalization or oxygen support. Mahamuda and her children went into quarantine while she recovered. Fortunately, her family members tested negative for coronavirus. I t was such a relief for Mahamuda to hear that she did not pass the virus onto her family and they are well and safe.

Being on the frontline in the fight against the pandemic, Mahamuda hopes to receive medical treatment support from the Medical College or the government. Her 20-year-old daughter is looking after the family while Mahamuda she is recovering from coronavirus. She is asking for continued

prayers for a quick recovery "coronavirus-free? very soon.

and

to

be

declared

T he Fred Hollows Foundation?s priority is to protect the safety of patients, communities and eye health workers, as well as its staff. L ast April, with support from the Australian Government through the Australian NGO Cooperation Program, T he Foundation supplied personal protective equipment to partners assisting nearly 100 eye care workers.

I n 2016, T he Foundation and the Queen Elizabeth Diamond Jubilee T rust established a Diabetic Retinopathy zone at Sher-E-Bangla Medical College Hospital, Barishal, Bangladesh.

T he zone has screened 2610 people and provided 400 diabetic retinopathy treatments since its opening.

T he Fr ed H ollows Foundation:T he Fred Hollows Foundation is an international development organization working to eliminating avoidable blindness. T he Foundation works in more than 25 countries around the world, restoring sight to people in some of the most marginalized communities. Visit: www.hollows.org

Mahamuda and her children went into quarantine while she recovered. Fortunately, her family members tested negative for coronavirus. I t was such a relief for Mahamuda to hear that she did not pass the virus onto her family and they are well and safe.

www.anankemag.com | COVID19 & Gender Edition | 2020

FRONTLINE | HERSTORY

"

II w was as hhaunted aunted ffor or many many ni nigh ghts ts by by th thee ffear ear II saw saw iinn hhiiss eyes eyes w whhen en II ex expl plai ained ned to to hhiim m th that at hheeneeded needed to to be be pl placed aced on on aa vventi entillator. ator.

" ON THE FRONTLINE: DR. SABA LODHI www.anankemag.com | COVID19 & Gender Edition | 2020

Almost two million people have been infected by the COV I D19 Pandemic,indiscriminately, these include women, men and children. And the numbers will keep on rising well after this article is published! With more than a 100 days gone since the World Health Organization (W HO) first alerted the world of the virus, the wrath of the disease remains unabated.

T hese are unprecedented times where some of the biggest challenges include the urgent need of medical supplies such as Personal Protestive Equipment (PPEs), masks and ventilators even in the most progressive economies of the world, and how governments respond and cope with collapsing policies and plummeting healthcare systems; the latter that just cannot cope with the influx of patients, front, right and center. And that is just the tip of the ice berg.

T he socio-economic construct that is our reality seems to be devoid of positive impact on human lives.

Economies are built and bred on the ugliness of money grubbing globalization. T his is transparent even in the stigmatization and politicization of the pandemic. Perhaps, it is not too quick to claim that the Coronavirus is in fact the product of that very ugliness. And it is not just up to governments to step up, it is a moral responsibility of each and every denizen of the world ? an obligation to humanity, to step up and do our part to flatten the curve. T his is what humanity demands andour humanitydepends on it!

Going through the incessant noise created on social media, regurgitating aninfodemicaround the COV I D19 pandemic, it has become increasingly difficult to filter facts from myths. As a consequence, real voices of real people especially those working on the frontlines get, many a times, buried under those raucous sounds. T hese are voices that need to be heard and listened to for they are the reasons that inspire us to help # FlattenT heCurve!

One such voice is of an amazing frontline healthcare professional, Dr. Saba L odhi, a pulmonary critical care doctor in the state of Washington, USA. Talking about the current state of affairs, Dr. L odhi narrates an overwhelming story: ?I am a pulmonary critical care doc in Washington state which was the first state to see COV I D-19 in the USA. A few weeks on but unfortunately many lost lives later, Governor I nslee issued a stay-at-home state-wide mandate that was met with skepticism but overall abided by and I do believe it helped

flatten the curve in our State. On the contrary I have friends and acquaintances in New York and New Jersey, some of whom despite being healthcare professionals did not take pleas for social distancing seriously and it does make one wonder if that accounted for what we see as chaos in those states now.? ?After doing critical care medicine for more than a decade at this point, it?s safe to say that one learns the art of emotional detachment from the subjects you care for. I t is almost essential for critical thinking and acceptance of outcomes that so often are not in your control in the world of medicine.

T hen something devastating like this pandemic comes around and puts you face to face with mortality. Your own, your loved ones and the patients you assume responsibility for. One of the earliest patients I took care of was an educator himself, well aware of what having the COV I D-19 meant. I was haunted for many nights by the fear I saw in his eyes when I explained to him that he needed to be placed on a ventilator. I asked him to call his wife and his children because based on reports from China, it was entirely fathomable that it may be the last time he spoke to them. I did not tell him that, but we both knew. T he armor of emotional disconnect can?t withstand moments like that.? ?I t is heart wrenching to watch these patients fight for their lives with no familiar face or voice around them. We have come up with iPads in their rooms so families can have ?virtual visits? with their loved ones.? ?T he past few weeks have been exhausting. I t is emotionally tasking to take care of these patients who have a very protracted course of illness. I t is also physically daunting with the added responsibilities that the pandemic has brought with it. I ?m the Medical Director of Critical Care at our hospital so in addition to having extra clinical duties due to increasing I CU census, I ?ve also been responsible for writing and implementing policies and procedures for the COV I D-19. On my days offI ?ve had meetings for hours on end at times.

My husband is a Hospitalist and has had to cover extra shifts in the hospital. Our nanny has older family members so we decided she shouldn?t work in what we consider a high risk household. We?ve been working opposite weekend schedules so someone can be home with the kids and have another healthcare provider?s teenage daughter watching our kids during weekdays since schools are closed.?

?Both my kids have Zoom school sessions during the week and a fair amount of school assignments they need to complete. I ?ve made them a schedule to follow to have some routine in their day and for the most part they seem to be doing ok with this new norm but are we as parents ok? I know I ?m not.

As much as I despise the mundane, the chaos of this lack of routine, a lack of control definitely adds a new challenge to this pandemic. I f I ?m not working on a COV I D related issue on my days off, I ?m being a mother, a school teacher, house cleaner, cook and a psychotherapist for my extremely bright kids who have concerns about us being exposed to the COV I D-19. I ?m also up most nights trying to filter through the onslaught of non-peer reviewed journal articles about the COV I D-19.? ?T he worse of it all is that as a working mom I normally manage to keep an adequate balance between work, home and my mental well-being; that balance has shifted completely towards work. I t is a tiring place to be in.I look forward to being able to shut my brain off when this is all over, I look forward to the mundane.? ?People need to understand the other side of quarantine. I longingly look at people?s posts about lazy afternoons, unscheduled naps, walks in the sun. I ?d rather be there but I can?t even get my normal daily run in to clear my head because my days are consumed by extra COV I D related work.? ?Most are bored, many believe this is blown out of proportion and several others are defiant about the need to follow these orders. L isten to what I have to tell you, it is here, it is real and it does not discriminate. I ?ve seen young patients with no medical problemscome close to losing this battle.

Prevention is the best remedy. Social distancing helped flatten the curve in our state. I can?t fathom what our lives would be like if we hadn?t.? ?As a physician I never want to be put in a position where you have to allocate life-saving resources but that is what happened in I taly and is happening in New York City. I t is not fiction, this is unfolding in front of our eyes. Get off the gram and watch the world news, stay home.?

?A ?Affter ter doi doing ng cri crititical cal care care medi medici cine ne ffor or more more th than an aa decade decade at at th thiiss poi point, nt, iit? t?ss saf safee to to say say th that at one one llearns earns th thee art art of of emoti emotional onal detach detachment ment ffrom rom th thee subj subjects ects you you care care ffor. or. IItt iiss al almost most essenti essential al ffor or cri crititical cal th thiink nkiing ng and and acceptance acceptance of of outcomes outcomes th that at so so of often ten are are not not iinn your your control control iinn th thee w worl orldd of of medi medici cine. ne. Th Then en someth somethiing ng dev devastati astating ng lliikkee th thiiss pandemi pandemicc comes comes around around and and puts puts you you fface ace to to fface ace w wiith th mortal mortaliity. ty. Your Your ow own, n, your your llov oved ed ones ones and and th thee pati patients ents you you assume assume responsi responsibi billiity ty ffor." or." www.anankemag.com | COVID19 & Gender Edition | 2020

THE THE IIM M PA PACT CT OF OF COV COVIID-19 D-19 PA PANDEM NDEM IIC C ON ON THE THE NI NIGERI GERIA AN N FOOD FOOD SYSTEM SYSTEM INSIGHT | FOOD INSECURITY

Along with the chaos and fear that the COV I D-19 pandemic thrust upon us, it has also brought untold socio-economic hardships to most countries, inordinately aggravating the food insecurity that plagues most sub-Saharan African countries. Nigeria is at the helm of the worst-hit countries in terms of food insecurity due to the pandemic.

Following the outbreak of the coronavirus pandemic and the recognition of the first index case in Nigeria on February 27th, the country implemented a lockdown restriction which took effect from the March 29th, in order to curb the spread of this virus. So far, there havebeen38344 confirmed cases, 15815 discharged cases, and 813 deaths as of July 23rd, 2020 within Nigeria.

T he lockdown restriction measures, though effective in curbing the spread of this pandemic, has exacerbated food insecurity of the country.

T here has been limited access to food and its supply chains which has led to either the total unavailability of some food products or their limited availability, leading to a limitation in people?s access to diverse, sufficient, and nutritious food products. www.anankemag.com | COVID19 & Gender Edition | 2020

By Chiamaka Adinnu

There has been limited access to food and its supply chains which has led to either the total unavailability of some food products or their limited availability.

T he reason is not far-fetched. T he lockdown restrictions did not only succeed in restricting movements of non-agriculturists within the country, it also affected movement of farmers (agriculturists) leading to a shortage of labour and limited access to farming essentials like seedlings and fertilizers of farmers. All of this has successfully hindered most farming practices that would have led to the continued cultivation and harvesting of sufficient food products for the Nigerians. I n addition, due to the pandemic-induced economic downturn, farmers no longer have access to credits as was the case before the lockdown. T he limitation of

transportation systems due to the lockdown has led to the limited access totransportationservices that can convey food products to their designated markets. And thus, this apparent lack of access to the market for these food products has also led to the increased spoilage and wastage of highly perishable food products. T he closure of borders by most countries has also contributed to the food insecurity of the country because it has ceased the importation of food products from other countries that would have catered to the needs of the growing population of the nation.

I t is no hidden fact that Nigeria, like most other African countries, faces malnutrition as one of the resultant gross food challenges prevalent in the country. A recent report indicated that more than 30% of children in Africa suffer from the consequences of chronic malnutrition including physical and mental development disorders that affect their daily lives. Furthermore, they have to deal with diseases and ailments associated with a weak immune system including the ongoing coronavirus pandemic which thrives on weak immune systems. According toUNI CEF, Nigeria has the second-highest burden of stunted children in the world, with a national prevalence rate of 32% of children under five.

An estimated two million children in Nigeria suffer from severe acute malnutrition (SAM).

With such high statistics before the pandemic, one can imagine the far-reaching negative effects of this pandemic on the Nigerian nutritional profile of the nation.

Prior to the advent of the pandemic and the subsequent lockdown restrictions, the Federal government of Nigeria (FGN) had in place various legislations and programs aimed at addressing malnutrition in all states of the country. One of these programs is the national foodsupplementation programwhich significantly strengthens the national food security by providing lunch at no cost at all to pupils and students of government-owned schools. T his program had many benefits, one of which was ensuring that a portion of the students' required dietary intake are met through the supplementation program. I n addition to addressing the scourge of hunger and malnutrition, this intervention program alleviates the burden of most parents, freeing up household resources that could be used to feed other family members and provide other necessities since85% of Africanslive on less than $5.50 per day which is the poverty threshold for middle-income countries. With the closure of schools in Nigeria, this intervention

The huge impact of the pandemic on the Nigerian food system and insecurity exceeds human expectation given the plethora of effects it has unleashed in terms of health, productivity, and socio-economic growth of the country.

program in addition to other intervention programs has been suspended as the nation struggle to revive and stabilize their swindling economy.

T he huge impact of the pandemic on the Nigerian food system and insecurity exceeds human expectation given the plethora of effects it has unleashed in terms of health, productivity, and socio-economic growth of the country. With the increasing prevalence of food insecurity in Nigeria, the need arises to adopt proactive measures that should checkmate the impact of the pandemic on our food system.

Some of the measures that can be easily adopted include; First and foremost ensuring that farmers and agriculturists have unlimited access to arable lands, credits, seedlings, fertilizers and other farming essentials that they require. Secondly, the mindset that farming is for a selected category of people (old and uneducated) has been a mitigating factor in achieving food security for the nation.

T herefore, intervention efforts aimed at empowering and including young educated adults into the agricultural sector should be immediately adopted especially in the face of this pandemic. With the empowerment and inclusion of young people into farming practices, commercialization of agriculture can be achieved www.anankemag.com | COVID19 & Gender Edition | 2020

leading to higher levels of agricultural production and thus lowering food insecurity.

T he government should create policies that can put a cap on unreasonable price hikes, particularly on food products. Regulations and compliance can help protect both producers and consumers. One of the dire consequences of food insecurity, as already mentioned, is the issue of malnutrition. W hile efforts are being made at alleviating food insecurity, an effective strategy to curb malnutrition at the grassroots level would require educating the society on making healthier food choices for themselves and their family in order to ensure that the required dietary intake of the groups is met, particularly vulnerable age groups like children and the elderly individuals. L astly, food distribution program should also be recalled. I n as much as schools and other public places remain closed due to lockdown restrictions, food distribution programs can be done door-to-door as it was announced earlier in Rwanda and Uganda.

I ndeed, not an easy task but certainly doable.

I n conclusion, it is imperative that the government as well as other stakeholders quicken their steps in adopting these measures to strengthen local food production and supply.

I n this way, the impending dangers of increased food insecurity due to the global pandemic can be alleviated substantially.

Chiamaka Adinnu is a Food Scientist who's passionate about gender advocacy and journalism. She has over five years of www.anankemag.com | COVID19 & Gender Edition | 2020

experience in high-level research and academic writing, with several awards to her name. Her work is focused on addressing issues relating to food insecurity and gender inequality and so, writes a monthly column on food insecurity. A contemporary youth activist and gender advocate, she currently writes for Ananke digital platform and also volunteers with several Non-profit organizations in rendering services to humanity. Chiamaka is also a voracious reader of all things book, in order to make for an informed opinion in her writings. As a long-term goal, she aims to engrave her name in the sands of time through her various writings.

FEATURE | CAREWORK

A t th e Heart of CA RE & COV I D19 Response Raising women?s voices during a health emergency Melanie Bublyk

The COVI D-19 pandemic is not just a health issue. I t is a profound shock to our societies and economies, and women are at the heart of care and response efforts underway. As frontline responders, health professionals, community volunteers, transport and logistics managers, scientists and more, women are making critical contributions to address the outbreak every day. Most caregivers, at home and in our communities, are also women. Additionally, they are at increased risk of infection and loss of livelihood, and existing trends point to less access to sexual and reproductive health and rise in domestic violence during crisis.~ UN WOMEN AUSTRALI A

I ncidents and evidence are increasingly reported showing that the policy of isolation and confinement leads to increased levels of domestic, sexual and gender-based violence ? and therefore to a heightened need of protection against this.

Attention needs to be paid also to the possible longer-term effects of the pandemic on the balance between professional and personal life and on women?s economic independence, since it may force many of them to make difficult choices and to move to unpaid work. ~Council of Europe

www.anankemag.com | COVID19 & Gender Edition | 2020

T he COV I D-19 pandemic has resulted in extraordinary measures in efforts to combat the spread of the virus. I t is widely known that women and girls are disproportionately impacted in health emergencies and disasters. Amidst a health emergency, women?s voices and perspectives are often sidelined in the decision-making process.However, health emergencies can exacerbate gender equality and undo hard fought gainsT heOHCHRhas argued that ?Governments must not allow the extraordinary circumstances and restrictive measures against COV I D-19 to lead to the violation of women's right to a life free from violence?. Arecent reportargues that we can learn valuable lessons from past health crises.

Some previous public health emergencies of international concern in the past decade have revealed that women are more vulnerable to infection as frontline health care workers or carers in the family and community.

Women?s burden grows with increased demand in unpaid care work. Domestic and family violence and sexual assault increases during public health emergencies. I mportant to note is that gender experts tend to be excluded from public health interventions.

T he gender components of outbreaks and their response are often ignored until they become a problem. T he I nternational L abour Organisation havewarnedthatCOV I D-19 could wipe out "the modest progress" made on gender equality at work in recent decades. Women make up 70% of all health and social-services staff globally and therefore it is imperative that women are empowered by providing more resources.

T he Snap Forward Feminist Policy Networkwhich is convened by the50/ 50 by 2030 Foundationis aspiring to take a longer term view on the disproportionate impact of the COV I D-19 pandemic on women after initially forming in response to the pandemic. T hey believe there is an unprecedented opportunity to prepare to face future shared challenges, including climate change, by developing a more forward-facing, inclusive, and resilient Australia. T hat will only be possible, they www.anankemag.com | COVID19 & Gender Edition | 2020

Women?s burden grows with increased demand in unpaid care work.

argue, if our starting point is inclusion and equality for all. T hey have outlined ten recommendations that would contribute to recovery efforts. T he stakes are high for ineffective policy that further entrenches inequality. Social and Economic resilience can only be achieved by addressing the drivers of gender inequality.

Mandating gender-responsive budgeting has been long campaigned for in Australia and applying it as a response to COV I D-19 would address women's needs that had already existed but have been exacerbated by the COV I D-19 pandemic.

T he year 2020 is amid a global health emergency and marks the 25th anniversary of the Beijing Declaration and Platform for Action. I t serves as a timely reminder that women?s participation in the decision-making process and that women?s voices are fundamental to the recovery process. Women often display great strength and resilience and can be powerful agents of change and make significant contributions to the health and well-being of their communities.

Mandating gender-responsive budgeting has been long campaigned for in Australia and applying it as a response to COVI D-19 would address women's needs that had already existed but have been exacerbated by the COVI D-19 pandemic.

Melanie Bublyk, Ananke?s Human Rights Advisor, was chosen as an Empower Women Global Champion for Women?s Economic Empowerment 2015/ 2016 and has also worked as an Empower Women Mentor 2016-2017. I n addition to working with Seeds Theatre Group in Papua New Guinea, she is dedicated to advancing Women?s Rights. Previously the Editor-at-Large, at Ananke, Melanie holds a Bachelor of Arts in Community Development, and a Masters degree in Human Rights with Curtin Universities Centre for Human Rights Education in Perth, Western Australia and received two letters of commendation for the same.

www.anankemag.com | COVID19 & Gender Edition | 2020

FEATURE | SHADOW PANDEMIC

Behind Closed Doors

By Zaineb Zahid

T hrough the course of human history, crises have revealed the underlying dynamics within people and societies. I n this regard, at least, the Covid-19 pandemic has emerged victorious for it has exposed fundamental systematic weaknesses and shortcomings not only of governments but also those existing in popular culture. T he United Nations (UN) has declared it as ?much more than a health crisis.

I t is a human, economic and social crisis.?

L ike all natural disasters, Covid-19 has unraveled people?s lives on a personal level alongside bearing devastating political and socio-economic ramifications which have the potential to play out for decades.

T he pandemic has shown a spotlight on the social order of the world, with conflicting economic and social disparities having formed different experiences for different people and the outbreak proving devastating for people at risk because of pre-existing social and economic factors. According to the chief of the Association of American Medical Colleges, health inequities have been exacerbated by a pandemic the likes of which has never been seen before. Apart from healthcare systems proving woefully ill-equipped, existing inequalities for certain segments of society have been magnified as demonstrated by rising levels of xenophobia, unemployment and racism.

Considering that Covid-19 has had repercussions on all facets of life, and continues to do so, with predictions for a global recession and rise of nationalism being foretold, the question naturally arises what impact if any can be expected in the aftermath of the pandemic for women?s rights.To answer this, we can draw upon outbreaks of the Ebola virus in 2014 and the Zika virus in 2016 to garner a picture of how women have been impacted in the past as a result of public health emergencies.

Julia Smith in her paper, Overcoming the ?tyranny of the urgent?, integrating Gender into Disease Outbreak, Preparedness and Response,writes that gender dimensions of outbreaks are both physically and socially constructed. Research shows that women have suffered disproportionately in terms of exposure on account of their dual roles of caregivers and mothers. Due to limited www.anankemag.com | COVID19 & Gender Edition | 2020

Research Research shows shows that that women women have have suffered suffered disproportionately disproportionately in in terms terms of of exposure exposureon on account account of of their their dual dual roles roles of of caregivers caregiversand and mothers. mothers.

healthcare facilities, a majority of women susceptible to the viruses were able to pass it on to their infants and ended up with severe reproductive health impacts. Since resources were diverted to combat a public health crisis elsewhere, other less pressing priorities such as maternal mortality and reproductive health were overlooked. I n the aftermath of these outbreaks, women struggled to regain employment which had been lost due to resumption of their roles as unpaid caregivers of the young and the sick. School closures had led to a record number of dropouts for girls with many not returning ever and the education for generations of young girls facing a staggering setback.

T he far-reaching effects of Covid-19 on women?s rights remain to be seen. W hile till now the pandemic has proven far more deadly to men than women (in the Pakistani province Punjab, the local daily Dawn reveals that sixty nine percent of fatalities are men), one of the consequences to have already emerged has been the horrifying rise in global violence against women. Cases of violence against women have had a worldwide spike leading the UN to term it a ?shadow pandemic?. Although domestic violence has long been an invisible epidemic, which the World Health Organization has classified as one of the least

reported and most widespread forms of human rights abuse, it has reached new heights in the past few months.

T his is because safety precautions such as the imposition of lockdown, restricted movements and increased isolation have in fact provided an unparalleled opportunity to abusers and perpetrators to exploit women since they are trapped in homes without being able to avail any of the resources that usually provide support. With accessibility to usual support networks such as places of employment and extended family circles cut off, staying at home to stay safe has ironically had the opposite effect.

I n Punjab, data released by Punjab Safe City Authority shows an alarming twenty five percent rise in domestic violence reports during lockdown with 3,217 reported cases of domestic violence. W hen one factors in that these cases are being reported by women despite a lack of privacy amidst crowded homes, we are forced to the grim conclusion that the numbers tell only a fraction of the real story.

Women in Pakistan have a longstanding history of vulnerability towards violence with World Bank data showing that one in three married Pakistani women face physical

www.anankemag.com | COVID19 & Gender Edition | 2020

violence from their spouses. Ours is a patriarchal society with few economic freedoms for women and one of the lowest literacy rates in the world. Although legislation has been passed to protect women from violent spouses including Sindh Domestic Violence (Prevention and Protection) Act, 2013 and the Punjab Protection of Women against Violence Act, 2016, we have a long way to go with satisfactory implementation of these laws to actually provide relief to victims. According to a report by the United Nations on Drugs and Crime, only less than one percent of women take their cases to courts and fifty percent do not respond to domestic violence in any shape or form at all, much less press legal action.

Only Only less less than than one one percent percent of of women women take take their their cases cases to to courts courts and and fifty fifty percent percent do do not not respond respond to to domestic domestic violence violence in in any any shape shape or or form form at at all, all, much much less less press press legal legal action. action.

I t is important to note though that while lockdown itself has not caused domestic violence against women, it is a reasonable certainty that it has aggravated and triggered pre-existing behaviors in abusive partners.

Moreover, it is feared that with unemployment steadily on the rise and worsening economic strife, as well as heightened anxieties and stresses, cases of domestic abuse in these unprecedented times can be expected to rise.

Unfortunately, in Pakistan, there is limited help available apart from recourse to a domestic abuse helpline and a limited number of shelter homes, which due to social distancing measures are currently in no position to accept women. T he Ministry of Human Rights has also issued the Policy Belief: Gendered I mpact and I mplications of Covid-19which has spelled out a number of welcome but hardly innovative steps that need to be undertaken including improvement of healthcare facilities and availability of education.

W hile governments and politicians have come in for their share of criticism over how exactly the public health crisis has been bungled and botched, it may not be too far from the truth to suggest that in any crisis, whether it be war, famine or a natural disaster, women inevitably bear the brunt of it.As per cultural norms and conventional wisdom, women serve as natural caretakers of the sick and infirm and are more vulnerable to infectious diseases. But this time around in Pakistan, a country which already grapples to tackle pervasive and deeply entrenched forms of sexism and violence, www.anankemag.com | COVID19 & Gender Edition | 2020

rating in a T homson Reuter survey as the sixth most dangerous country in the world for women, the risks are especially high.

For the women of Pakistan, the personal has certainly proven to be the political.

Zaineb Zahid, currently working as legal counsel at Wateen Telecom Limited. The writer has earned an LLM degree and is a high court lawyer. She has worked on family laws, domestic violence, sexual harassment, and workplace harassment. She has appeared on several TV shows as a law expert. She is a speaker and has organized programs at the university level regarding legal ethics, human rights law especially violence against women and child abuse. She can be reached at fatimaahrizvi@gmail.com

Th e

Specter of COV I D19 Ov er I ndi genous Peopl e

By Sar a Raza

FEATURE | INDIGENOUS GROUPS

With Covid-19 spread across the world, concerns regarding the upsurge of the disease in indigenous communities around the globe has become tantamount to fear of losing entire tribes and indigenous populations. I ndigenous communities have previously been and continue to remain impacted by waves of epidemics as generations learn to survive and cope amid the severity of global pandemics and outbreaks. Despite having held a significant place within the global context, indigenous populations, especially indigenous women have been historically marginalized and faced inequality within the socio-economic diaspora. Denial of fundamental freedoms and guarantees such as the right to development, right to self-determination,

and freedom of expression are some examples of reasons why the indigenous population today lags behind others in battling a crisis that goes well beyond health.

I ndigenous people all over the world have been disproportionately affected by the infectious disease outbreak that many in the beginning equated to a mere influenza-like illness. T hecoronaviruswhich has much more lethal consequences, causes a respiratory illness, which is known already as the main cause of death in native communities.At a time when borders began closing off and countries went into lockdown, President Jair Bolsonaro of Brazil ? a ruler seen by many indigenous www.anankemag.com | COVID19 & Gender Edition | 2020

leaders as a threat to their cause and constitutional rights and a country with one of the largest indigenous populations, horribly handled the public health crisis and failed to understand the gravity of the situation as he compared the coronavirus to ?a little flu?. As reported by the Federal Agency for I ndigenous Affairs, Funai, the 107 indigenous groups in Brazil may have no contact with the outside world, but during the Covid-19 crisis it has become increasingly difficult for the agency to protect people living in remote areas and simultaneously provide them with health facilities, medical supplies, and other well-equipped infrastructure that the government is struggling to prepare even for ordinary citizens. Another example is of the I ndigenous groups in Canada called First Nations, Metis, and I nuits, where these communities face higher levels of poverty

diseases, which poses a threat not just to their lives, but to their practices, skills, languages, and culture, all of which are the epitome of their traditional knowledge systems. T hese customary practices are intertwined with systems of self-governance which governments do not formally recognize, but an example of Nepal, where the I nternational Work Group of I ndigenous Affairs urged the government to provide access to information in the indigenous community?s mother tongue, shows how these systems can be effective in preventing a pandemic when thecountryis a party to I L O Convention no. 169 and United Nations Declaration on the Rights of I ndigenous Peoples (UNDRI P). With a rise in the number of Covid-19 cases, the problem www.anankemag.com | COVID19 & Gender Edition | 2020

and a lower life expectancy in comparison to other Canadians. Due to that very reason,I ndigenouspeople who have previously lived in ?dilapidated, overcrowded housing, and have inadequate access to healthcare? become the most vulnerable to the dangers brought forth by the pandemic.

Despite lack of sanitation and access to facilities that provide clean water for washing hands with soap, the burden of bearing the cost and brunt of sustaining themselves is on the I ndigenous community itself as a result of deep-rooted unequal access to resources in their territories and the unjust imbalance of including their needs in public-health priorities.

I ndigenous people also have a distinct livelihood, constituting traditional rites and rituals. As a result of unrelieved poverty and health concerns, these communities become increasingly susceptible to infectious

arises with traditional knowledge and information being equally threatened as are lives of people. I ndigenous women, also called knowledge holders, are well-known for possessingtremendous and critical indigenous knowledge regarding indigenous systems, sacraments and customs.

Knowledge that is intergenerational, is being lost on the way of losing the old to the pandemic, people who were the quintessential custodians of rites, ceremonies and knowledge pertaining to their indigeneity.

Moreover, vulnerability at the hands of the Covid-19 pandemic extends well beyond public health crises and breaking of traditional knowledge systems. Another

reason for fear hovering over entire indigenous populations is the way their lives and standard of living has never been prioritized by those in the top hierarchy of governance, and somehow the former becomes solely responsible for pulling itself away from possible extinction. T he lack of control that indigenous populations experience over their lands and territories may be one reason why global outbreak situations may lead to a wipe out of a certain group or an entire population. For instance, intervention by massive developmental projects such as hydropower, mining, dam building, road expansions, and airport constructions, etc. leads to indigenous people not only losing access to their natural resources that are a significant part of their communal land, but also being deprived of their human rights and collective rights that govern food security and access tofood.

I ndigenous women in these emergencies are most vulnerable at the hands of third parties. As access to land and water is lost, women are bound to face fatal health issues as a result of environmental degradation that may take shape of polluting water resources and ancestral lands, extraction in industries and other construction related projects which completely excludes involving indigenous people, especially women in decision making and implementation of a fair socio-economicframework. As governments abruptly ignore and neglect consultations with and Environmental I mpact Assessments (EI As) for I ndigenous groups to build their megaprojects and sustain their economy, the latter become subject to what has been termed as ?environmental violence?

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by the UN. Along with violence that affects the entire population and their habitats, indigenous women have also been subject to domestic violence, which during the Covid-19 crisis has been termed as ?shadow pandemic? by the UN Women. As mentioned by the Special Rapporteur on the rights of indigenous peoples, ?indigenous women are significantly more likely to experience rape compared to non-indigenous women and more than one in three indigenous women are raped during their lifetime.?( Report of the Special Rapporteur on the Rights of I ndigenous Peoples, 2014).

To avert public health emergencies that give rise to multiple crises, strong, determined, and sustainable steps need to be taken. Necessary actions are required by private industries, local bodies, and government departments and agencies involved in health, environment and climate, and economic sectors, etc., which legislate on issues pertaining to indigenous populations. T his should take into account their traditional practices and customs, along with their systems of self-governance that can be aligned with federal laws and policies, and hence promote the wellbeing of the indigenous community as a top priority when battling further crises. I ndigenous public health experts such as those in Australia were the real support behind the control of the virus in their indigenous groups. Aboriginal community-controlled health services played a pivotal role in ensuring an effective communication of health messages and news to indigenous communities in their local languages. As some communities were quick to shut their borders, the Australian government set up an advisory group just for the purpose of fast tracking an emergency response plan that could help the aboriginal community in tackling the challenges associated with the pandemic.

Moreover, there is an urgent need to advocate for the timely dissemination of information and resources with the indigenous communities along with the implementation of emergency responses that provide shelter to those susceptible to violence or injustice. As a result, these mechanisms will help monitor the situation periodically by assessing the sustainability and utilization of resources. Most importantly, while allocating budget, governments should cater to indigenous needs and emergency responses aimed at the equitable distribution of resources for the provision of relief and basic facilities despite geography and citizenship status.

Sara Raza is a lawyer based in Karachi, Pakistan. She is a strong advocate of women empowerment and gender equality. She is interested in gender justice and women?s rights.

www.anankemag.com | COVID19 & Gender Edition | 2020

PA PANDEM NDEM IIC C IN

OPINION

Pak Pakist ist an an

By Zahr ah Sehr Vayani www.anankemag.com | COVID19 & Gender Edition | 2020

T he year 2020 brought with it, a pandemic which took the world by surprise. I t came as a nightmare for mostly mid to low income groups, women and children, startingoff as a rumor or a farce for the people of Pakistan and quickly turned into being a ?propaganda by the Western world trying to manipulate the rest?. W hat one didn?t realize was the repercussions, the loss of lives were a given but the numbers miscalculated, the loss of income, freedom and movement caused the most hurdles and difficulties especially in a third world country like Pakistan. T he pandemic resulted into a lockdown which meant livelihoods could not be earned, many didn?t know where their next meal would come from and most relied heavily on their employers or former employers to fend for them until the pandemic ended.

Daily wage workers were affected the most and even though citizens stepped up and multiple ration drives were conducted all over the country, it wasn?t a long term solution. T he Sindh COV I D19 Emergency Ordinance 2020, was promulgated in the province of Sindh wherein lower income brackets did not have to pay electricity or rent and workers were not allowed to be laid off during the pandemic, under the law.

T he employers tried to find loopholes to fire their employees and landlords couldn?t fend for themselves thus forcing the tenants to either pay rent or move out. Most did not have the means to take their employers or landlords to court and were made to suffer in silence. T he government both provincial and federal had made promises of aid but none were fulfilled, leaving the common man frustrated and angry.

Anger, during a pandemic is a combined result of frustration and helplessness. Restricted to the four walls of their homes, many individuals underwent different emotions, due to their personal and financial constraints, which took a toll on their mental health.

Men felt weak and incompetent, they resorted to violence first towards their spouse and then towards their children. Domestic violence numbers rose and the state?s incompetence shone. Helplines a and few shelters run by the provincial governments were neither functional nor effective. Women had nowhere to go, financial insecurity and the lockdown became their worst enemy.

Once again the citizens stepped up and the privately run non profit organizations became the saviors, taking in as many women and children as possible, providing for their food and shelter. Funds though were limited and capacities full, thus many had to be turned away. T hose women who could not speak up or register complaints due to COV I D19 were left to www.anankemag.com | COVID19 & Gender Edition | 2020

deal with their circumstances, getting out of the house was yet another problem they had to face.

T he blame has to be borne by the government, one that took little to no responsibility for their people.

T he COV I D 19 patient numbers rose as the months passed by, hospitals full, citizens scared, yet markets and malls were under orders to remain open. T he shying away from responsibility and the inability to provide relief and assistance to those who needed it the most was a failure for both the federal and provincial governments, schemes such as ?Ehsaas income support? were introduced but the outreach was limited. T he effect seemed to trickle up in this case, middle sized to large businesses, from salons to restaurants started shutting shop, the rate of unemployment rose through the roof, public sentiments bitter, yet no one ready to take the blame for it.

Being a resilient and determined nation, Pakistanis took it upon themselves to help the front line workers, patients and the unemployed. I ncome generation schemes, production and export of ventilators, sanitizers, masks as well as PPE suits are just a few innovative Pakistani ventures resulting from the pandemic. Designers started stitching PPEs instead of L awn / Muslin suits, Murree Brewery, producing sanitizers instead of alcohol, increased sales of herbal medicines over allopathic; Sena leaves and Kalongi (black seeds) seeds, the only ray of hope.

T he spread of awareness about COV I D 19 via outreach programs, along with help desks for victims of domestic violence, abuse and mental health is a step forward in the right direction. Access to justice made easier by 24 hour functioning helplines at police stations, would restore faith in the State.I ncome generating schemes should be introduced at all levels, to motivate the people, increase employment and boost the economy. T imes may be hard but it is up to the State to uplift the morale of the people, let them feel involved, give them incentives, so that they can spend their time being productive rather than destructive.

Unfortunately the harsh reality is that the masses are still suffering and patience is running low. As per the World Health Organization?s latest report in July 2020 , Pakistan hasn?t reached its peak yet, but on the ground, the provincial and federalgovernments? have shut down free testing facilities and isolation units.

Fears might turn into actuality, as petty crimes and violence might be the common man?s last and only resort. I t in the end, it seems that each man will have to fend for themselves, as the State would have once again, failed them.

Zahrah Sehr Vayani,is a litigator with broad experience in civil, family, property banking, media, commercial, arbitration, criminal and constitutional matters. Ms. Vayani has worked for three years in England and over nine years in Pakistan providing afull range of legal services of both litigious and an advisory nature. Ms. Vayani has extensive experience in litigation and arbitration spanning numerous areas of practice, including corporate & commercial law, criminal law, anti ? narcotics, labour, contract law, family law, human rights, competition law, taxation, intellectual property, property law, constitutional law, civil service laws, banking and harassment laws.

www.anankemag.com | COVID19 & Gender Edition | 2020

INTERVIEW | CYBER SAFETY

NAVIGATING

t he Dar k Web of

C O V I D 19 An Interview with President and CEO, Trafficking In America Task Force, Jerome Elam

The COVI D19 pandemic has not just brought in tumultuous times like never before, it has put the world under enormous strain. The imposition of restrictions on movement and mobility has exacerbated systemic socio-economic inequalities, further exposing vulnerable groups to exploitation. Yet hope springs eternal especially with visionaries like Jerome Elam, President and CEO, Trafficking I n America Task Force. For him, the fight against all forms of modern slavery, human trafficking and exploitation is one that is personal. Sitting down with Team Ananke, Jerome talks about true courage and navigating through darker digital tides of the COVI D19.

www.anankemag.com | COVID19 & Gender Edition | 2020

Tell us about your life?s journey and the events that led to the creation of your organization ?Trafficking in America Taskforce??

As a child I was born into a world ruled by absolute chaos, tossed into a maelstrom of abuse and trafficking at the hands of a ruthless pedophile ring. My mother, Marie was herself a victim of childhood molestation, repeatedly raped by her own father. Marie was a bright and beautiful woman whose demons overwhelmed her life and alcohol became the filter through which she viewed reality. At seventeen, she became pregnant with me and married a man who was incredibly abusive. My first memory as a child is the sound of loud voices and the thunderclap of my mother?s face being slapped. T hree years after my birth, their marriage ended with the intensity of a hurricane of anger and hatred for each other that remains unrivaled in my life.

From that point on, my mother?s alcoholism began to rage out of control. We moved back in with her parents and went from one bad situation to another. My mother would disappear for days at time, swept up in an alcoholic haze that carried with it a profound amnesia of the chaos she had invited into our lives. My mother?s father was physically abusive and would beat me until I bled when his anger became inexplicably stoked and I became an easy target for rage. After several years trapped in this cycle of violence, my hopes were raised at the age of five when my mother brought home a man named Neal who we thought would change our lives. He brought me gifts, took me to sporting events and appeared to be genuinely kind to my mother. T hat all changed six months later when my mother was at work and Neal raped me after school one day. He secured my silence by threatening my mother?s life and as a child there was nothing that I would not do to

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protect her no matter how terrible she was as a parent.

T hree months later, Neal began to use me for child pornography and three months after that he introduced me to the pedophile ring that he belonged to. My initiation into the pedophile ring was to be raped and beaten by all ten members.

T he first time I was trafficked at the age of five, I was handcuffed to a truck stop bathroom and molested by a parade of men and one woman. T he hell that I was trapped in would continue for seven years and I would try and tell a total of ten people that included an Emergency Room Doctor. At the age of twelve, I was filled with hopelessness and taking a bottle of sleeping pills from my mother?s medicine cabinet and a bottle of vodka from the liquor cabinet, I headed for my mother?s rose garden. I opened the bottle of sleeping pills and as

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its contents rolled down my throat chased by vodka, I laid down to take my final breath and said goodbye to a life that had only given me pain.

As I drifted off, I saw a white light and a voice rose up that seemed to be coming from everywhere. ?Your time on earth is not done and I am sending you back to save the other children who are suffering as you have.? I recognized the voice as that of my friend Steve, a young African American boy who I had seen strangled right in front of me. I looked up to see Steve standing in front of me, all the bruises and scars that had once covered his body were now gone and he smiled with a sense of warmth and happiness that filled my heart and soul.

I awoke in a hospital emergency room where a group of wide-eyed doctors stood. I n the corner of the room I saw Steve smiling and he waved as he

disappeared in a flash of light. I t was that day that I escaped the hell that I was trapped in. T he nurse in the emergency room recognized the abuse that I had been subjected to and alerted the doctors and social services. My life changed that day and I went on to graduate high school and join the United States Marine Corps at the age of seventeen. After serving in the military, I earned my degree and began a career in biotechnology.

T he pain of my past still haunted me and after a series of failed relationships, I entered into therapy where I spent twenty-five years healing from the nightmare that I had endured as a child.

I was able to overcome my demons and make healthy choices. I met my wife of nineteen years and we started a family. I found a happiness that I had never known in my life but in 2011, my world would change again when Jerry Sandusky was arrested for molesting young boys. I felt a voice rising up inside me that grew stronger and stronger. Outraged over the possibility of Sandusky being set free, I wrote an article entitled ?An End to Silence? that was published by the Washington T imes in their Communities section.

From that one article I received feedback from around the world and my career as an advocate was launched. I have been speaking and traveling around the world ever since. I n 2016, my close friends Yvonne and Marion Williams were starting a new nonprofit that targeted human trafficking as a cultural problem and they asked me to take over their previous nonprofit T rafficking in America Task Force. I have been President and CEO of T rafficking in America since that day in 2016 and I have been honored to see our fight against human trafficking continue to expand on a global scale.

I would not be here today if it was not for a female

The important lesson I learned from my friend is that she showed me the true meaning of courage. That talking about and showing emotion is an incredibly courageous act and I thank her for teaching me this and for saving my life.

survivor. She taught me that I could be a man and still be a victim. Boys are unfortunately ingrained with the idea that they can never be powerless and that being a victim is a sign of weakness and it is not. I was forbidden from showing emotion as a child and severely beaten when I cried. Reconnecting with my emotions has been a life long journey and my children have been the greatest healing force in my life. T he important lesson I learned from my friend is that she showed me the true meaning of courage.

T hat talking about and showing emotion is an incredibly courageous act and I thank her for teaching me this and for saving my life. Without her I would still be addicted to alcohol and perhaps dead or incarcerated.

www.anankemag.com | COVID19 & Gender Edition | 2020

Let us begin with your organization?s work in pre-Covid19 times, what were some of the challenges and issues as well as the impact and milestones at the grassroots?

We have made significant gains in our fight against human trafficking and I was incredibly proud to be part of a coalition of survivors, advocates and congressional leaders that worked together to shut down the world?s largest online brothel Backpage.com. We also fought to raise the age of consent in the state of Florida to eighteen years of age. We have also made human trafficking education mandatory in Florida public schools and every hotel worker in the state of Florida has to have human trafficking training. I am featured in the video series used to train hotel workers. We still face challenges in prevention and the aftercare of victims where funding is severely lacking. We are desperately working to create a more ?victim centric? model for addressing human trafficking and to create laws that keep up with the crime as human traffickers turn to cryptocurrency as a means to disappear into the shadows of the financial world.

What has been the impact of the Covid19 pandemic in terms of human trafficking? Which groups are most targeted and do you think the crisis disproportionately discriminates in terms of gender or vulnerabilities?

COV I D-19 has provided the perfect cover for human traffickers and sexual predators as they have adapted their methods to the current crisis.

T he lack of mobility has given rise to ?drive through? brothels and ?house calls? plunging victims into a whirlpool of depravity. T he National Center for Missing and Exploited Children has seen an 106% increase in child abuse material posted online during the pandemic and Europol has documented a doubling of explicit material posted online since the start of the pandemic. Children trapped inside during the

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lockdown are spending huge amounts of time online.Sexual predators are taking advantage posing as a young girl or boy to entice unsuspecting victims into sending nude photos and then blackmailing children into performing depraved acts. Refugees are equally at risk as they flee camps where COV I D-19 is spreading like wildfire. Human traffickers have set up floating bases on the sea where they kidnap and traffic refugees.T he COV I D-19 pandemic has impacted all genders equally and the exploitation that both sexes have endured during this crisis has been horrific.

Coming over to the topics of safety and violence.

There is a lot of buzz around gender-based violence and the rising numbers of violence against women.

This has been termed as a shadow pandemic. But when it comes to children?s safety, how devastating do you think the impact of the pandemic has been?

T here has been a huge increase in domestic violence as families shelter in place during the coronavirus pandemic. T he economic impact of this pandemic has seen millions lose their jobs and as foreclosures and permanent layoffs become a reality, tempers boil over and violence ensues. Children have especially suffered as abuse goes unnoticed and unreported. T he pandemic has kept children out of school where signs of abuse would raise red flags. Social workers are unable to physically check on children due to the risk of infection and all the people that would notice abuse have been removed from a child?s life. T rapped in a desperate situation, victims of abuse remain in a prison of silence with nowhere to turn.

Do you think a child?s gender, ethnicity, socio-economic vulnerabilities determine his/her/their susceptibility to violence and suffering? And do you think it has amplified in the present scenario? I f so, how?

Children like me from dysfunctional

environments are typically more susceptible to child exploitation and trafficking. I desperately wanted someone to care about me, if even for a minute. A sexual predator saw that in me and used it to rape and traffic me for seven years.

Minorities make up a large percentage of victims but several studies have shown that boys are trafficked at almost equal rates to girls. T he market for boys is a web of depravity that operates in the shadows of society and thrives on the dark web where pedophile chat rooms trade techniques for raping children and keeping them silent. Children are also sold in these pedophile chat rooms where the price of admission is to send a video of yourself raping a child.

T he pandemic has driven more and more families into poverty and for those who have jobs children are being left alone and vulnerable by those unable to afford child care. I n the absence of the agencies who are tasked with protecting a child?s welfare, the world has become a perfect hunting ground for human traffickers and sexual predators.

In the absence of the agencies who are tasked with protecting a child?s welfare, the world has become a perfect hunting ground.

www.anankemag.com | COVID19 & Gender Edition | 2020

The digital world was previously considered a parallel reality. And for now, amid the crisis, it has become more real to us. Safety and privacy have always been huge issues even before the coronavirus. Safety and exposure to harmful content are critical issues facing parents, guardians and other stakeholders. What were some of the challenges that have now been amplified?

Due to the pandemic, the world has become even more insulated from reality, paralyzed by the fear of being infected. Globally we are spending large amounts of time online and hackers, human traffickers and sexual predators have been working overtime to exploit the vulnerable.

Scammers have been targeting people?s fears by selling fake remedies to the corona virus that has caused sickness and deaths as a result of their negligence. T here has also been wide spread hoarding and unscrupulous individuals are selling difficult to find items at inflated prices.

As children spend more time online, they are being bombarded by explicit content and stressed out parents struggle to keep up with regulating the material their children are exposed to.

Children are overwhelmed by both fear and boredom and turn to the internet as a way to occupy their time only to become easy prey.

Human traffickers and sexual predators have been infiltrating online games for years posing as teenagers to lure children out of their homes. A thirteen-year-old girl in Florida was lured out of her house while playing Minecraft online. Police were able to follow her electronic trail and located her in a hotel room with a thirty-five year old sex offender.

Can you shed a bit of light on how child abuse can be perpetrated using social media, not just limited to trolling but the different venues that are likely to be chosen or the ways to entrap unsuspecting victims?

Sextortion is a crime that consists of a sexual predator pretending to be a young boy or girl

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online who will convince a child to send photos with their shirt off and then convince them to send photos that are more explicit. Once they have the photos, they blackmail the child to perform videotaped sex acts for other sexual predators. ?Romeo? pimps romance their victims into thinking that they love them and convince them to allow themselves to be sold for sex as a way to show their love. T hese individuals roam social media searching for victims that they can use for human trafficking. T raffickers flaunt a lavish lifestyle on social media that grabs the attention of impressionable young people who become roped into a situation where they can be drugged, raped and blackmailed. Social media for young people is all about popularity and human traffickers promise them lifestyle that emulates the celebrities they idolize. T he pandemic has isolated children and placed them more at risk for sextortion as they become more isolated and alone starving for attention as they turn to social media.

How can we keep our childr en safe online especially dur ing this time with a massive amount scr een time is inevitable?

To keep children safe online, make sure that you educate your child about the dangers of social media. T he number one rule is to never accept a friend request or get involved with someone online that you do not know in real life. Make sure that computers are kept in a central location, for example the living room and install filters and parental controls. T he internet and smart phone apps have become a part of our daily lives making information, goods and services readily available. Unfortunately, human traffickers and sexual predators have learned to use this new technology as a tool to groom and victimize our children. We must work together to become a firewall against this rising tide of

webcams.

-Continually dialogue with your children.

I f your child is using popular apps tr y the following to limit childr en?s exposur e to potential pr edator s: -Check the apps your child has downloaded.

-Check if the apps have a "chatting" feature.

-Only allow kids to chat with other kids they know.

-I nternet Crimes Against Children Task Force "Apps You Want to Know?: - Kik Messenger - W hatsApp - T umblr - W hisper - Omegle - Vine depravity by empowering ourselves with education and awareness of tactics used by human traffickers and sexual predators.

Pr evention: -Keep the computer in a high-traffic area of your home. ?Establish limits for which online sites children visit.

-Remember that I nternet technology can be mobile, so make sure to monitor cell phones, gaming devices, and laptops.

-Surf the I nternet with your children and let them show you what they like to do online.

-Know who is connecting with your children online and set rules for social networking, instant messaging, e-mailing, online gaming, and using

Anything you wish to add?

Historically, women have been identified as the overwhelming majority of victims of human trafficking but recent studies have shown male victims of trafficking have been severely overlooked. I n a 2008 study by the John Jay College of Criminal Justice, of those who were sexually exploited in New York, fifty percent of victims were found to be boys from the United States, being trafficked domestically. Until now anti-trafficking organizations have been focused on female victims but that tide is now starting to turn. A 2013 study by the organization ECPAT discovered males are more likely to be arrested for shoplifting or other petty crimes even though they are being trafficked sexually.

Also included in the John Jay study was the fact that forty percent of male victims were forced to

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service female clients.

Rates of suicide among male victims of childhood sexual abuse are 14 times higher than the norm, and they are 38 times more likely to die from a drug overdose. Male victims are also prone to more aggressive behavior than female victims. A male victim is 53% more likely to be arrested as a juvenile compared to others and 38% more likely to be arrested for violent crime as an adult.

Victims face a lifetime battle with depression, anger, addiction and possibly suicide, and the cost to society is the loss of a productive individual who could have changed the world if it were not for their victimization. More well-known male survivors of childhood sexual abuse include James Dean, Carlos Santana, Ozzy Osbourne, Billy Connolly, John Peel, Massachusetts senator Scott Brown and Michael Reagan, the son of former President Ronald Reagan. Read more of Michael Reagan?s story here.

T he lens through which we currently view human trafficking has to change and we need to acknowledge that this scourge defies gender, race, and socioeconomic status. I nstead of viewing victims of trafficking as either a male or female problem, we have to now examine the expanse of its scope and treat it as a human problem.

www.anankemag.com | COVID19 & Gender Edition | 2020

The lens through which we currently view human trafficking has to change and we need to acknowledge that this scourge defies gender, race, and socioeconomic status.

Instead of viewing victims of trafficking as either a male or female problem, we have to now examine the expanse of its scope and treat it as a human problem.

FEATURE | TECHNOLOGY

Th e Fal l back of COV I D-19 on Women i n Tech

By Rimsha Salam

T he COV I D-19 pandemic has brought about unexpected changes to all of our lives, including nearly global school closures, increased remote work policies, and a historic economic downfall.

T his disease has caused extreme fallback across all industries and sectors. W hile people in tech haven't been hit as severely as other industries, women in technology have taken huge setbacks.

has created record unemployment and increased layoffs, tech companies are comparably less impacted than businesses requiring face-to-face interactions and transactions.

Notably, the travel, restaurant, and hospitality industries have been the most affected. Take the downfall of the highly successful Airbnb, for example. Fortunately, many tech company I ncr easing Women L ayoffs in the Technology employees can work from home, and companies I ndustr y have quickly made the pivot to remote work.

According to Forbes, research shows that women Saving losses and preventing shutdowns. Some are more likely to be laid off and have their tech companies have even experienced an salaries cut than men. W hen the economic crisis unprecedented increase in profits. www.anankemag.com | COVID19 & Gender Edition | 2020

T rustRadius researched to evaluate the impact of COV I D-19 in America and its fallout on women in tech.T he T rustRadius survey was open to everyone in the tech industry, regardless of gender identity. Nearly 600 tech experts participated, including 270 women, 315 men, five non-binary respondents, and six respondents who chose not to identify their gender. T he key findings of the survey were thatdue to COV I D-19, eight percent of women were being laid off in tech companies compared to only five percent of men.

Women Exper ience H igher Pr essur e in the Tech I ndustr y Compared to men, women face severely higher pressure to be productive and have to prove themselves time and time again. Even when women are struggling to take care of their children full-time, they experience increased expectations from their peers and supervisors.

According to the survey by T rustRadius, 40 percent of the female survey respondents said they feel higher levels of pressure than 31 percent of male respondents as the pandemic began and led to an increase in the economic downfall.

Female employees are underpaid, underpromoted, and experience advanced levels of scrutiny and evaluation. T hey have to prove their worth, skills, talent, and expertise in front of their male acquaintances. T his contributes to imposter syndrome in the majority of female tech professionals as well. And things have just gotten more and more difficult for women in light coronavirus.

Women ar e Bur dened Responsibilities & Childcar e

by

H ome

Most people would expect a decrease in women's responsibilities at home as more and more men are working from home due to the lockdown and quarantine measures being implemented.

However, surprisingly, this is not the case.

Women in tech are now feeling 1.5 times more burdened by caring for children and home responsibilities. As the vast majority of children have been at home from school for months due to the COV I D-19 quarantine. 72 percent of women vs. 53 percent of men surveyed said they are currently struggling with childcare. Nearly 60 percent of the female tech workers responded www.anankemag.com | COVID19 & Gender Edition | 2020

Compared to men, women face severely higher pressure to be productive and have to prove themselves time and time again.

that they had seen their familial responsibilities increase as a result of COV I D-19.

All these combined are resulting in significant challenges and fallbacks for women in the technology industry. Unfortunately, as long as inequality is in play, these impacts will persist. T he only way to break through these gender injustices is to create gender balance and accept diversity.

And the first step to fighting this problem is its identification, let?s hope we can continue forward to the next steps and create balance in the I T industry.

Rimsha Salam is a tech-enthusiast, writer, blogger, ex-quality assurance engineer, and freelancer. She writes on the latest tech trends, gadgets, I nformation technology, and more. Always eager to learn and ready for new experiences, she is a self-proclaimed tech geek, bookaholic, introvert, and gamer.

www.anankemag.com | COVID19 & Gender Edition | 2020

FEATURE | YOUTH

Covid-19 & Pak ist an?s Yout h Bulge

By Marva Khan

Currently, 64% of Pakistan's population is younger than 30 years of age, with 29% between the age group of 15 and 29 years.

Historically, this is the largest proportion of youthful population Pakistan has had, and this youth bulge is expected to grow for the next 30years. Many countries see a youth bulge as a great resource, as opposed to having an aging population like Japan and I taly. T his positive sentiment grew at the start of the Covid-19 outbreak. Having an aging population was seen as a threat for countries engulfed by the pandemic, as the W HO classified the elderly as morevulnerable.

However, the vulnerability of the youth bulge in a country like Pakistan cannot remain ignored.

T he youth bulge signals that a country has the potential to cultivate its significant part of the population into a potent form of human resource, thereby contributing to the country's long-term growth. However, with the state's lack of sufficient investment in youth development, the bulge acts as an increasing burden on already scarce resources. I f left unaddressed, it may, in the long run, lead to economic and hence civil instability and unrest.

With these broader impacts in mind, it is pertinent to note that vulnerable segments of society face a more significant threat. T hese segments include those living below certain economic strata; those living in rural areas, women, third gender, persons with disabilities

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(PW Ds), and those falling in the intersection of these categories.

T he outbreak of Covid-19 has hit global economy, resulting in the steepest recession in over twodecades. I n developing countries like Pakistan, which have limited health care capacity, this pandemic can cause a trend of multi-decade slow growth andproductivity.

According to the Finance Ministry, three million Pakistanis had lost their jobs due to the pandemic by earlyJune, with an expectation of 70 million people falling below the poverty line due to the pandemic's economicimpact. T hese indicators are a terrible signal for Pakistan's young population. Excessive lay-offs mean that much of the youth bulge (and consequently overall population) will be unable to find a job for the foreseeable future. With the Pakistani job market already acting more hostile towards women, the pandemic's impact has been more devastating for the female workforce, with women more likely to lose theirjobs, alternatively, forced to quit for reasons including higher workload at home in locked-down areas, increase in instances of domestic violence.

Moreover, as per Digital Rights Foundation, there has been a significant surge in cybercrimes in Pakistan since the first lockdown, and over 70% victims of these offences are women.

Another issue at the heart of this matter is the impact of Covid-19 on education. With all educational institutions shut down for the

foreseeable future, only a few private institutions can offer online classes to their students. Furthermore, not all students enrolled in these institutions have access to an internet connection. Almost 63% of Pakistan's population resides in ruralareas, T he pandemic stands as a further hurdle against education in the country. Furthermore, another vulnerable cross-section within the student body is female students. Girls lag in literacy in any event: in 2017, Pakistan's literacy rate stood at 59%, with the literacy rate for women standing at 47% compared to 71% formen. Post Covid-19, this gap continues to grow. With residents of many areas of Pakistan, including most of Balochistan, completely unable to access onlineclasses, other hurdles, including added domestic chores, hostile home environments, and refusal of parents with limited and reduced resources to continue to spend on girls' education. About 72% of Pakistanis believe that the burden on women has increased during thelockdown.

Another critical area where the pandemic has had a more significant adverse impact on Pakistan's younger population is healthcare. I n May 2020, 24% of all Covid-19 patients in Pakistan were between the ages of21-30.

Furthermore, with the system already overburdened by Covid-19 patients, the state is lagging in providing necessities and treatments to its citizens. T wo significant aspects of this are

the lag in immunization of children and expectant mothers unable to obtain proper pre and postnatal care. T his, in turn, is jeopardizing the children born during the pandemic.

T he problems of Pakistan?s youth are not just policy matters, but the government has constitutional obligations to address these. T he Constitution of the I slamic Republic of Pakistan, 1973, talks about formal and substantive equality, particularly for women, and has been

The Theproblems problems of of Pakistan?

Pakistan?ss youth youth are arenot not just just policy policy matters, matters, but but the thegovernment government has has constitutional constitutional obligations obligations to to address address these. these.

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interpreted to allow for a strong form of affirmative action (Shirin Munir v. Government of Punjab,1990 PL D SC 290). T he Principles of Policy (long term, unenforceable objectives set by the framers of the Constitution) also discuss promoting the participation of women in national life; and protection of the family unit. Furthermore, Article 25A of the Constitution mandates the government to provide free and compulsory education to children between the ages of 5 and 16 years.

With growing inequalities in the country, the government must step in at this point and allocate emergency funds and resources to the healthcare and education sectors; and also ensure provide economic relief to the citizens. A greater focus on immunizations, pre and postnatal care, and the psychological health of the citizens are necessary.

Furthermore, the government should also ensure greater I nternet access across the country to improve access to education. I t should also mandate that online classes be accessible for disabled students by using suitable software and teaching techniques.

Mar va K han is Assistant Professor of Practice, Shaikh Ahmad Hassan School of L aw, L ahore University of Management Sciences. Co-Editor, LUMS L aw Journal.

www.anankemag.com | COVID19 & Gender Edition | 2020

INSIGHT | CAREERS

Wh y Careers M atter i n Th e V i rtual Of f i ce

By I an Jarvis

How does leadership remain relevant when corporate culture is created at the intersection of screens, not people, and short term goals dominate the workscape as never before. ?Our staff is in place.? One executive told me. ?T hey know what?s expected and are skilled in the assigned work. W hat?s wrong with that?? Plenty. T hose ties won?t last.Your employees know what?s in it for you. W hat they want to know is what?s in it for them? How do they executetheirpriority, the T hree R?s: Recognition, Responsibility, Reward?

I n the face of pandemic contraction leadership must continue to turn on the ignition switch of creativity and great results. Doing so means attacking the burnout and uncertainty ripping through virtual offices worldwide. Employees tell me they?re working in a vacuum. T hey classify their current employment as a ?Covid-19 job? and have no idea where they?ll be six months from now.

To displace the growing cynicism, leaders must not only find an inspired message, they have to get it downstream. T hough it may feel counterintuitive when so much is going on, creating a culture of career advancement has never been more important.

W H AT ?S SO DI FFERENT ABOUT T H AT ?

Plenty. Results oriented managers must be embraced, but they can no longer operate in a narrow bandwidth framed by commando tactics and personal

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disengagement. T hose dynamics have a massive (And often undetected.) impact on the bottom line.

W hat should firms do? For the answer, let?s go back to the future, to?Star Trek Next Generation.? I n the consummate emptiness of interstellar space, (An environment not unlike our Covid-19 lockdown.) the Enterprise, with thousands of ?employees?, faced the challenge of discernment on a massive scale.

T hat critical function belonged to Ship?s Counselor L t. Commander, Deanna T roi; tasked to work the intersection between command and empathy. Her neutral judgment and superb insight gave her a ship wide brand of trust and belief; the go to person for problem solving at any level.

Here on Earth, Covid-19 has exponentially elevated the value of a ?Counsellor,? dynamic. Corporations have taken on the idea, marketing new titles like; ?People Person? or ?Chief People Officer.? But that job is too often about patina. I n the end, the role is siphoned off to HR; a group largely dismissed by employees as extensions of the legal department.

Corporations must develop executives who can toggle at will between command, empathy, and embrace. T he new cadre won?t be an extension of HR. T hey will be managers and V P?s operating in the real world. T hey will be responsible for numbers and outcomes as all managers are, but these execs will also have a subtitle;I ntersectionist.

I ntersectionists willbe chosen and rewarded for the character to stay neutral, to listen, to see the big picture. T heir lens isn?t shareholder value but corporate values. T hey?ll have the responsibility, direct from leadership, to look for viscosity in their systems, to analyze the reality under an org chart, to illuminate young executives whose careers match the future of the company.

T hose expanded roles make them touch points within their firms; trusted conduits to message executive goals down the line as well as respected citizens

Corporations must develop executives who can toggle at will between command, empathy, and embrace.

www.anankemag.com | COVID19 & Gender Edition | 2020

speaking truth to power. I n the new office, I intersectionistsare the anchors of stability and progress.

T H E BOT T OM L I NE L ayoffs are part of our business life right now. I t?s a painful event all around.

But for those employed, the concern it generates internally has to be mitigated.

Messaging about the future must be more than a sermon from T he Mount. it?s about action.

T hat?s where hiring and firing come into play. T hese two events been closely platform on leadership make its Create a strategic group of someone for I ntersectionionist managers reasons and characterized by their income increases. generating responsibilities and the right person ability to drive connections and time for the reasons and empathy at arm?s length. company

have always theater; a watched which gets to case. Fire the wrong resistance Fire the at the right right the rallies.

In the virtual office, advancement is the same message. Now is the time to identify and illuminate talent. T his is the moment to make a statement; advance careers and make great choices doing so. Create a strategic group of I ntersectionionist managers characterized by their income generating responsibilities and the ability to drive connections and empathy at arm?s length. T hat will make them leadership?s delivery system for a vision and an outcome which is hyper clear; the company is growing, the best will be rewarded. T hat is how to drive profits.

I an Jar vis's career began in London and subsequently, Paris. He then moved to NYC, launching French multinational, Saint Gobain in the highly competitive US fragrance market. His success in New York led to multiple offers and he transitioned to CMI I nternational, an entrepreneurial partnership in Los Angeles with heavy manufacturing responsibilities in the Pac Rim After selling his last firm to the $4 billion, Groupe Pechiney, I an turned down offers to helm several companies, electing instead to create a consulting career in NYC. Today, I an works behind the scenes with C-suite executives in industries as varied as architecture, legal, design and mobile. Approximately half of his clients are women.

www.anankemag.com | COVID19 & Gender Edition | 2020

Women WORK

I n th e New

N O R M A L INSIGHT | LATIN AMERICA

Beatriz Gasca Acevedo is a Human Resources and Social Responsibility expert. Possessing a Master?s Degree in Human Development, this year she received the grade of PhD Honoris Causa for her tireless work to promote gender equity in the corporate world. A certified coach, she began her professional career at Whirlpool, and continued at Nestlé, Aeroméxico.

Currently she is CHRO at GinGroup. Bea was also named one of the 100 most powerful women in México by Forbes in 2017. She is board member of Cherie Blair Foundation, Grupo Mundo Ejecutivo and Forbes. I n 2017 she was selected as Rising Talent by the Women?s Forum for the Economy and Society.

Sharing her insights on the impact of COVI D19 on the Latin American woman, Beatriz chats with Ananke?s Sabin Muzaffar about gender equity in the corporate world and work dynamics of the professional woman living in the new reality of the Coronavirus.

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Tell us about your self, your wor k and the jour ney so far ?

I am what you can call a rebel with a cause and believe in justice through inclusion. T herefore, I ?m a feminist (even if the last two phrases are a pleonasm). I was born in a very small and conservative city in the center of Mexico. T hrough hard work and creating opportunities for myself, I left my hometown at the age of 16 to study abroad on scholarships. T his experience gave me a very wide vision of the world and most importantly, it gave me the perspective to see that it is not normal to value a woman on the basis of her looks or abilities to cook. I understood that value lies in her brains and intelligence. I have always been very vocal and forthright. But when I returned to Mexico I still hadn?t realized my own activism against misogyny. My outspokeness provoked antagonism from people but I felt the need to speak out. I am unstoppable to this very day. T his leadership quality is also part of my management style. Presently, I have the good fortune of being part of international boards that advocate to build a fairer and more inclusive world.

Your wor k focuses a lot on gender equity in the cor por ate wor k, tell us about your vision and what do you consider some of the major challenges to achieving gender equity in the pr ivate sector ?

Women have built their professional careers from a very different position than men. We struggle more and have more things to juggle. T his is the reason why it is essential for corporates to be a part of the solution when it comes to gender equity at the workplace. T his can be done by having care policies and strategies in place such as facilitating spaces like nursery rooms, a longer period of maternity leave and raise awareness about diversity in people with leadership roles, offer equal pay, most importantly generate and lead through empathy.

You advocate the impor tance of making inclusion and diver sity mor e tangible, what does that actually entail?

We need to bring serious issues on the table to encourage gender equity, not because it is fashionable to talk about it; but because you believe in the cause.

Take action, it is different to wish for something than to create. We need to bring serious issues on the table to encourage gender equity, not because it is fashionable to talk about it; but because you believe in the cause.

We cannot continue to merely talk about inclusion and diversity. So in our organization, we have created a call center with a pro-bono group of psychologists who are not just helping women but also men by offering them information related to work and quarantine related stress especially during the time of the pandemic. www.anankemag.com | COVID19 & Gender Edition | 2020

With the cur r ent COV I D19 situation, when women ar e not just at the fr ontlines, their wor k pr essur es at home and wor kplace have amplified ? what appr oach is needed to make inclusion and diver sity mor e substantial in the cur r ent scenar io?

I n L atin America, it seems pretty clear to me that we need to increase penalties for femicide and rape, have better sexual education for teenagers, legalize abortion or in a less provocative way: leave women to decide about their life plans. We also need to educate society the ills of objectifying women and how to create an inclusive narrative and language at home and beyond.

Can you shed light on the cur r ent situation in L atin Amer ica as far as gender equity in the cor por ate wor ld is concer ned? H ow has the COV I D19 impacted this situation?

T his is the most interesting thing I ?ve seen in my life. We all started by being scared, then slowly we began to work in solidarity and have eventually embraced the new reality. As I mentioned earlier, many L atin American countries have policies that are either unregulated or are discriminatory and this has been a huge obstacle. For example, a woman can still be asked about her family plans or pregnancy without any fear of being penalized.

Women are doing the double shift at home, which means taking care of the children and families as well as working or attending Zoom meetings. T his has really impacted them psychologically as well as financial as they are struggling to keep their jobs.

www.anankemag.com | COVID19 & Gender Edition | 2020

W hat r ole can women leader s play in ter ms of women?s economic empower ment, inclusive leader ship in business/ cor por ate wor ld as we adapt to the new nor mal?

W hile it is not something new but mentorship is critical now more than ever. Women leaders need to encourage and take on aspiring young women as mentees. I t is also important to form groups or sororities where women can not only talk about work, but other familial or social topics and issues for example like tips for taking care of babies etc.

T his will help us women cope and better manage these unprecedented times.

W hat ar e the key takeaways for L atin Amer ican women (in business, cor por ate wor ld, leader ship) in light of the COV I D19 cr isis?

Keep on manifesting especially online by being vocal about issues of violence and reproductive rights. As violence against women has increased during the coronavirus crisis, it is critical to keep on demanding for your human rights. I n the corporate world, it is important to keep the conversation going on inclusion and diversity to encourage gender equity at the workplace.

Anything you wish to add?

Women have already conquered the home, the hearts, families and have lifted themselves. Now, it is about time to conquer politics if we really want to make a change in the world. www.anankemag.com | COVID19 & Gender Edition | 2020

It Takes a Village?

T he damage that the novel coronavirus, COV I D 19 will have on poor countries is nothing short of catastrophic. T he impact of this pandemic is far reaching and has spread over to 199 countries. I t is not just a public health crisis, it is urgent that we recognize it for what it truly is ? a calamity on humanity.

T he social ramificationshave been profound and while the world scurries around to combat this threat, humanity walks a thin line between an individual?s own safety and that of others. I t reminds me of walking on a tightwire, we are doing our bit to flatten the curve and our healthcare providers are also working around the clock, putting themselves on the line to save us,protest us!But it appears our fates still lie hanging in a balance, uncertain because the outcome seems to be calamitous one way or the other.

T his pandemic has been a real challenge especially for women. According to the W HO, about 70 percent of careworkers including those in the healthcare sector are females. And considering these workers not just care for the sick at hospitals and other related facilities, they are also care providers at home; health risks skyrocket for this particular and important subset of our communities.

As I take extreme measures to self-isolate and minimize my contact with the virus, I can?t help but focus on marginalized women particularly in the informal economy who have limited www.anankemag.com | COVID19 & Gender Edition | 2020

By Rochelle Dean

access to income and other forms of social protection. T hey struggle in developed nations and more so in developing countries. T hese women also are mothers and must provide care for households, some of them not their own.

T he thought of this makes me look closely at the economic fallout due to COV I D-19 and how this pandemic will impact the entire world and the plight of women who dominate the world?s poor. .

We all must do our part to flatten the curve, as many stimulus rescue plans are set and ready to assist those most vulnerable to economic decline. I can?t help but wonder if we are still missing the lesson as we fall into another economic depression.

W hat about those women unable to meet the requirements to participate in these programs that are needed for their livelihoods during a health disaster that could potentially wipe out a significant amount of our populous? And I think about who is flattening the curve for them? W hen they can?t go to work because their workplace is quarantined, and they cannot afford to self-quarantine.

As a woman myself, I am disheartenedat the idea of another woman being unable to meet her basic needs or provide for her children or keep them safe during this global health crisis.

I myself hail from the Bahamas, a developing nation and a small island where I see the struggles way too often. T hese women are left with less than the bare minimum.

Self-reliance

has

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become the order of the day which can lead women down very dangerous paths of self-destruction. I f they are lucky, they can lean on parents and grandparents during this global health outbreak. T hese very same individuals who care for our health and economic sustainability in some form or the other are the most at risk.

And this is where it becomes obvious for me, my motherland a little chain of islands and keys in the Caribbean. We do indeed share some of the same struggles as other nations, the informal women that I speak about, and so this pandemic is far more dangerous for us in developing nations because it attacks the very fiber of our existence.

Within a blink of an eye we have all become vulnerable in a society imploded with dysfunction and poverty being the breathing ground of cultural dysfunction. Our safety nets are all at risk! No self-reliance, no parents, no grandparents, no social protection and finally no social security reserves.

We all have become just like those women victims of informal economies, just as at risk as those healthcare workers and completely at the mercy of a virus that humanity has no resilience to.

We?ve all heard the popular clichĂŠ, ?I t takes a village.?W hile the original thought stems from an African proverb, it continues to ring in my ear as I practice social distancing and remain steadfast during twenty-four-hour lockdown.

COV I D-19 certainly is the largest threat I have ever seen in my lifetime. I t is a wakeup call to put humanity on a better path.

Rochelle Deanis Regional Programme Manager ? Americas (Programs, Partnerships & Special Projects). She is a certified project consultant and management consultant professional. Her path of study is economics with a focus on international development having co-chaired the indicators task force for the United Nation?s Beyond 2015 Campaign for the SDGs. She is an advocate for democratic processes and was the sole contributor of the amendments to the Fiscal Responsibility Act 2019, a bill hailed as the best policy decision by the Bahamas in decades by Moody?s. A former intern with the Borgen Project Rochelle has a passion for writing and the integration of legislative policy. She is a former columnist with the Tribune News Network where she wrote the series, Poverty Alleviation from an economic standpoint.

She joined the team at Ananke as Senior Foreign Correspondent.

www.anankemag.com | COVID19 & Gender Edition | 2020