The COVID-19 pandemic is putting an unprecedented and significant strain on the global economy and public health systems. It is also highlighting, and magnifying inequalities and the multiple and intersecting forms of discrimination faced by women and girls. The pandemic is moving beyond a global health crisis and morphing into a labour market, social and economic crisis, posing a serious threat to women’s employment and livelihoods, especially in precarious informal and non-essential sectors, and to their mental and physical wellbeing.
The private sector has a responsibility to use its power, influence and resources to protect the rights and physical and mental well-being of employees, as well as to ensure long-term business recovery efforts restore economic stability.
The Women’s Empowerment Principles (WEPs) are a set of seven principles offering guidance to business on how to promote gender equality and women’s empowerment in the workplace, marketplace and community. During this time of upheaval and uncertainty, the WEPs are a great resource for the private sector to help them protect the most vulnerable groups.
The webinar will be an information session on how private sector could reduce immediate risks to employees, what are the policies or activities to apply during COVID-19, while also reducing the overall economic impact. The speakers will showcase the available tools and resources available to use and dissemination.
