Keep Her in Your Prayers: Why the Involvement of Religious Leaders and Organizations Matter in Protecting and Empowering Women in Society during the COVID-19
The spread of the COVID-19 pandemic gives a new challenge to the global health system and a test to the United Nations member states commitments in protecting and empowering women in society.
UN Women reveals that the economic impact of the COVID-19 is affecting women disproportionately and differently than men. The imposed social restrictions or even complete lockdowns in some countries have been affecting minority groups, informal workers and women-led small businesses in varying degrees, from having to balance between the new normal of taking care of their families while also working from home, to simply not having the luxuries to do so at all.
WHO has also published several interim clinical guidance, highlighting the effect of COVID-19 on sexual and reproductive health on women to prevent exacerbated maternal mortality and morbidity, increased rates of adolescent pregnancies, HIV and sexually transmitted diseases. On the social and cultural front, a surge in domestic violence during this pandemic has worsened the state of gender-based violence around the world. Meanwhile, services are compromised, life-saving care and support for women who experience violence can be disrupted and not well coordinated because health care providers are overly burdened handling the influx of COVID-19 patients.
Apart from this, there are signs of hope in various parts of the world where religious leaders and organizations have become one of the vanguards in supporting and educating women and children on how to deal with COVID-19. The strategic nature and involvement of religious leaders and religious organizations play a very important role in order to ensure that the most vulnerable members of society are not forgotten, and instead, fully embraced.
FPCI and the 1000 Abrahamic Circles cordially invite you to watch our virtual public discussion “Keep Her in Your Prayers: Why the Involvement of Religious Leaders and Organizations Matter in Protecting and Empowering Women in Society during the COVID-19”
Speakers:
– Dr. Livia Istania DF Iskandar, M.Sc., Psi, Vice Chairwoman of Indonesian Agency for Victims and Witness Protection (LPSK)
– Rahmawati Husein, Vice Chairwoman of Muhammadiyah Disaster Management Center
– Reverend Kristi, Coordinator of Srikandi Lintas Iman
– Nancy Mitchell, WE Empower Consultant at UN Women (TBC)
Moderator: Sakdiyah Ma’ruf, Indonesia Stand-up Comic, womens activist, BBC 100 Inspirational Women
