Information from Casey Harden, General Secretary of World YWCA
- Gender is often an ignored factor during health emergencies, even though women comprise 70% of the global healthcare workforce.
- The emergency measures needed to fight COVID-19 have increased the burden of many women regarding domestic work and the care of children, elderly relatives and sick family members.
- Domestic violencereportedly rose in Wuhan, China, during the city’s two-month lockdown. This is now being reported from multiple countries.
- The sexual and reproductive health of young women is at risk as schools shutdown.
- Most key decision-makers designing and executing the pandemic response are men. Only 25 per cent of parliamentarians worldwide are women, and less than 10 per cent of Heads of State or Government are women.
- Economically, women and young women make up more than half of informal sector jobs. They are at higher risk of losing jobs during shutdowns.
A list of helplines for women in Ireland
Republic of Ireland
Women’s Aid National Freephone Helpline 1800 341 900 (Open 24 hours a day, 7 days a week)
National Rape Crisis Helpline 1800 778 888 (operated by the Dublin Rape Crisis Centre and open 24 hours a day, 7 days a week)
Northern Ireland
- NIDIRECT
- NexusNI
- Women’s Aid Federation Northern Ireland and is open all women and men affected by domestic violence. 0808 802 1414 ( Open 24 hours a day, 365 days per year)
Local Support Services
Republic of Ireland
Northern Ireland
- Belfast and Lisburn WA – Down and Lisburn Refuge
- The Belfast Area Domestic & Sexual Violence and Abuse Partnership
- The Women’s Centre, Derry
State Agencies
Republic of Ireland
Tusla – Child and Family Agency
Cosc, the National Office for the Prevention of Domestic, Sexual and Gender Based Violence
An Gardaí Síochána
Northern Ireland
The Rowan is the regional Sexual Assault Referral Centre (SARC) for Northern Ireland.
