Inequality and discrimination during the COVID-19 pandemic

How discrimination is shaping the experiences of minorities and indigenous peoples during the pandemic

Source: Equality.org

The Covid-19 outbreak was declared a pandemic by the World Health Organization (WHO) on March 11, 2020. It first spread to Wuhan, China in late 2019, before the first cases abroad were recorded at the beginning of 2020. Today there are millions of Covid-19 cases worldwide, with thousands of new cases Confirmed daily.

Women’s jobs are at 19% higher risk than men’s, the report estimates. Worldwide, nearly 70% of workers in the health sector are women, making them more vulnerable to pandemics. 

While women account for 39% of the global labor force, they are highly represented in three of the four most declining parts of the global economy: housing and food services (54%); retail sales and wholesale (43%); and services such as arts, entertainment and public administration (46%).

In each country studied, the models showed that taking effective action to reduce gender differences in unemployment caused by COVID-19 would lead to broader overall economic output by 2030.

Countries like India have some of the worst gender statistics in the developing world. The rate of female labor force participation is one of the lowest in the world. 

Among working women, most are in unpaid or irregular jobs. Recovery efforts investing in the female workforce, tailored to the needs of each country, could greatly boost employment opportunities and drive accompanying economic growth, the report predicts.

 

How has COVID-19 affected equal access to education?

The widespread closure of schools and other educational and training institutions has caused uninterrupted disruption in education and training for millions of children around the world. Many children and young people, particularly those belonging to segregated racial or ethnic minority groups, do not have equal access to remote learning tools, the internet, or adequate parental support. 

These challenges are likely to further delay the education of these children and deepen existing racial inequalities. Children of racial and ethnic minority groups are also more dependent on schools as a source of free food and other social services, such as mental health, sexual and reproductive health education, increased education. It is hoped that children in these communities will face additional nutrition and health challenges.

 

Increased gender inequality in the media during the epidemic

"Journalists and organizations need to do more to address gender inequalities and to focus on employment and the resilience of personal life in these critical times," said Maria Angeles Samperio, Chair of IFJ Gender Council. "It's time to put in place the right mechanisms for working over the telephone. Make sure you support women as caregivers and provide fair employment and equal pay."

The IFJ published a survey earlier this year that highlighted the use of homosexual media, in the absence of unemployment and in violation of media freedom during the epidemic.

 

What are the manifestations of religious discrimination during the pandemic?

The current pandemic exacerbates discrimination, xenophobia and intolerance directed against religious groups, which often include racial or ethnic discrimination. An increase in the incitement to hatred and Scapegoating of religious communities or beliefs for the spread of the virus has been reported.

Leaders must respond without avoiding discrimination and attacks directed at religious groups because it threatens stability and security, and increases hate crimes.

There are also reports that destructive language and the proliferation of conspiracy theories have risen by up to 30% on major social media platforms since the pandemic began. People belonging to religious groups have been targeted by verbal abuse, death threats, physical assaults and experienced isolation and discrimination in accessing public services, as well as denial of essential health services. Religious communities in some countries have also been accused of spreading COVID-19 within countries or importing it from abroad.

 

Conclusion

The COVID-19 pandemic exposed and exacerbated discrimination on racial and inequalities on a wide scale. Amid the economic and social transition of the COVID-19 pandemic, there is still concern over the lack of adequate unity in the Developing Countries that need support in responding to the crisis it has caused. We demand that States take immediate action to meet their non-discrimination obligations by incorporating equality impact assessments into all their pandemic policy responses. While the focus in the midst of the pandemic crisis is the right to health and access to health services, other key issues including Human Rights, inequality and development should also be front and center specific to recovery period.