Around 60 participants from 15 movements namely Australia, Bangladesh, Cambodia, China, Hong Kong, India, Indonesia, Japan, Korea, Mongolia, Sri Lanka, Taiwan, Malaysia, Myanmar and Philippines joined the COVID19 Pandemic: Its Impact on Women and Girls regional conversation held on 22 and 29 September 2020 at 4~5:30PM HKT. This regional online conversation highlighted how the pandemic has deepened the pre-existing inequalities and vulnerabilities faced by women and girls simply by virtue of their sex. The conversation specifically focused on the issues of gender-based violence including cyber/digital violence and access to health care services. The regional conversation aimed to:

• explain the compounded impacts of COVID19 pandemic on women and girls particularly on issues related to gender-based violence and access to health care services
• listen to women and girls’ experiences/stories during this pandemic
• learn about YMCA’s social interventions in addressing the gender inequalities during the pandemic and its recovery
• suggests short-term and long-term response towards building a more equitable society

The online conversation included Dr Judy Taguiwalo of University of the Philippines; Lee Myung Hwa and Um Jin of Aha Sexuality Education Center of NCY Korea together with a young girl who gave testimony of her experience on digital violence, as panelists during the conversation on gender-based violence. Meanwhile, Dr. Priya Letitia of the John Christian Medical Association of India and “Metha” of Indonesia (as testimony) served as panelists during the conversation on access to health care service.

The online talk is moderated by the APAY Committee on Gender Equity 2020-2023 in its endeavor to address the region’s gender justice objective of cultivating the culture/sense of gender equity and empowerment of women and girls for all at all levels through creation of platforms of learning, reflection and exchanges of experiences.

↑  22 Sep Regional Conversation on the Impact of COVID19 on Women and Girls

↑  29 Sep Regional Conversation on the Impact of COVID19 on Women and Girls

~ Maria Cristina Miranda, Executive Secretary for Programs