The impact of COVID-19 on women’s political participation

October 11, 2020

Date: 13 October 2020

The regional electoral assistance project will hold the 9th webinar about the impact of Covid-19 on women’s political participation.

The webinar will focus on the impact of COVID-19 on vulnerable and marginalized communities, particularly the effects it has had on the political participation of women. Women, who make up 65% of the global healthcare workers, are at highest risk of infection, are losing jobs at higher rates than men, face sharply increasing rates of domestic violence and are bearing new burdens of home school and family responsibilities. I will discuss the gendered impact of the pandemic in public life with women largely being left out of decision-making processes. As the pandemic continues, it is critical to raise awareness and advocate for COVID-19 response measures that not only take into account but directly address the many obstacles women face as public officials, voters, candidates, electoral administrators, observers and poll workers. Panelists will offer unique national and regional perspectives on the impact of COVID-19 on women’s political participation.