Today, 8 March, is International Women's Day.
Many women around the world work in difficult conditions. Not only do women earn 20 % less than men (a figure that is probably underestimated due to a lack of data), but they are also victims of sexism at work, do most of the unpaid work and are more often employed in the informal, unprotected economy. This has consequences not only for women's rights, but also for their access to support and protection. Women make up the majority of healthcare workers.
This means that from the Philippines to the DR Congo, via Belgium and Palestine, it is above all women who are on the front line in the fight against Covid-19. In recent years, the governments of most countries have made budget cuts in healthcare, making working conditions even worse. As a result, women are disproportionately exposed to Covid-19 in the fight against this pandemic. In addition, a large proportion of the world's healthcare workers and patients do not have access to the Covid-19 vaccine, because pharmaceutical companies based in rich countries put profit before health. Lack of investment by governments, unsafe working conditions in the healthcare sector and a focus on profit put women at disproportionate risk.
The Covid-19 pandemic has shown once again that women play a crucial role in ensuring a healthy society. On 8 March, International Women's Day, we want to show our support for all the progressive women's movements taking to the streets! Together, we are fighting for women's rights and healthy working conditions for all!
