Gender and COVID-19 Research Project

The Gender and COVID-19 Research Project aims to conduct real time gender analysis to identify and document the gendered dynamics of the outbreak and gender gaps in preparedness and response measures, providing immediate guidance and recommendations to those crafting policies and delivering public health interventions.

Infectious disease outbreaks are considered by policymakers as global, collective problems, assuming a similar impact of pathogens on all people. Yet, the impact of disease on individuals and communities is not homogenous, with women disproportionately infected and affected. The sex and gendered dynamics of the COVID-19 outbreak so far are anecdotal, but the consequences of sidelining these may limit effective responses in affected regions, as well as prevention and preparedness efforts locally and globally.

Objectives

• map and analyze sex disaggregated data on COVID-19 infections and mortality to provide evidence to inform public health responses, decision-making and planning
• document and analyze gender impacts of the outbreak in order to strengthen understanding of the impact of COVID-19 on individuals and communities through interviews with those infected and affected, as well as chatroom and social media analysis
• conduct gender-based analysis of policy responses in order to improve national and global responses through policy analysis and key informant interviews
• produce knowledge translation resources, including a gender matrix and toolkit, to improve policy and public health responses to COVID-19.

Outcomes:

• The COVID-19 Gender Matrix is a rapid online tool presenting gender analysis questions and data as it is gathered and serving as a template to measure gender indicators, if and where the outbreak may spread.
• The COVID-19 Gender Toolkit will promote rapid gender mainstreamed actions within policy development, preparedness, and response activities