The Gender Effects of COVID-19
When pandemics strike, world leaders and health responders must adapt quickly to the looming threat. Often the last factor they would consider is gender.
In marginalized communities here in the metro as well as in the provinces, poor women, especially single women or those who are the bread winners in their households, are often at a severe disadvantage. They need health and nutrition support for long-term survival. Residing in poor communities, where their neighbors are likewise poor, it would be impossible for these women to improve their situation. ZCMEʼs Health, Nutrition, Hygiene Program (HNH) was set up in order to address worldwide issues on hunger, malnutrition and health. Aligned with the goals of national government agencies and local government units, this program has provided food and medicines to poor women and their households through donations made by various corporations and the private sector. ZCME has set up a central station as pick-up points for donations, warehousing, and inventory of donated goods and resources. HNH is changing the way people think about health and nutrition, which are essential in order for poor women and their families to live comfortably and with dignity, hopefully leading towards the empowerment of women.
When pandemics strike, world leaders and health responders must adapt quickly to the looming threat. Often the last factor they would consider is gender.
Zonta Club of Makati and Environs’ nominee, Carmen Valdes, Phd, recently won the Zonta International Centennial Anniversary Award. This award recognizes and honours an outstanding individual or business/organization/ agency in the city/community with a proven record of empowering women.
Zonta International strongly campaigns and advocates the U.N Sustainable Development Goals (SDG) addressing worldwide issues and problems.