Women, migrants and people living in cities have been the hardest hit by the economic and social toll of Covid-19.
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The pandemic, which has killed millions of people and brought the global economy to its knees, has had a particularly devastating socio-economic impact on women and migrants, the Red Cross said on Monday (November 22nd). In a new report, the International Federation of Red Cross and Red Crescent Societies (IFRC) warns of the disproportionate secondary consequences of Covid-19 on groups that were already vulnerable.
The health crisis has resulted in many job losses, and therefore income, says the organization, based on data collected by its 192 national companies. The crisis has also increased food insecurity and reduced access to education and support services for people facing violence, while exacerbating mental health problems, according to the report.
“Our research shows what we have long suspected and feared, that the destructive side effects of this pandemic have damaged the social fabric and will be felt for years, if not decades.”, said IFRC President Francesco Rocca. “People already vulnerable, due to conflict, climate change and poverty have been pushed a little further to the edge of the precipice “, he said at a press conference.
Women have been particularly affected by job losses as they work more often in the informal economy and in sectors that have severe health restrictions, such as tourism. The report also points out that the lockdowns caused greater social isolation of women, who were thus more exposed to domestic violence.