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WOMEN: THROUGH THE PRISM OF HEALTH
Dr. Vipra Swami Arya
W/o Rajesh Kumar Arya, DC DMRC, Delhi
COVID-19 is a critical health catastrophe which not only challenges the prevailing global health systems and medical research but will also have massive worldwide socio-economic implications that will echo for years to come. Although Human beings are not alien to pandemics and their impact but COVID-19 is something which nobody was prepared for. The current crisis has placed unprecedented demands on our social services and health care system. The collateral damage of the epidemic is higher than the damage caused by the epidemic itself and it is deepening the pre-existing inequalities, exposing vulnerabilities in social, political and economic systems which are in turn amplifying the impacts of the contagion.
This Coronavirus situation which has placed whole mankind under threat could have serious consequences for women's health, as evidences from outbreaks similar to COVID-19 in the past suggest. According to WHO, “Pandemics and outbreaks have differential impacts on women and men. From the risk of exposure and biological susceptibility to infection to the social and economic implications, individuals’ experiences are likely to vary according to their biological and gender characteristics and their interaction with other social determinants". Therefore, we can’t possibly afford to have a gender blind lens in our fight to combat this contagion.
Women and girls have unique health needs, but they are less likely to have access to quality health services, essential medicines and vaccines, maternal and reproductive health care, or health insurance
especially in rural and marginalized communities. Furthermore, pandemics can make it more difficult for women and girls to receive treatment and health services. The provision of sexual and reproductive health services, including maternal health care and gender-based violence related services, are central to health, rights and well-being of women and girls. The diversion of attention and critical resources away from these provisions during lockdown and periods of restrictions result in worsened maternal mortality and morbidity, increased rates of adolescent pregnancies, HIV and sexually transmitted diseases as well as cases of stress, anxiety and depression among women. According to UNFPA, the United Nations sexual and reproductive health agency, “More than 47 million women could lose access to contraception, leading to 7 million unintended pregnancies in the coming months”. In India's case, coronavirus lockdown had a dramatic effect on women's reproductive health, safety and security, with reduced access to medical facilities forcing millions of women either to continue with unwanted pregnancies or to undergo late-term or unsafe abortions.
Thus we need to ensure continued attention to sexual and reproductive health and rights of women and girls. Particular attention needs to be paid to health care services for older women, domestic violence and abuse survivors, as well as antenatal, postnatal care and delivery services, including emergency obstetric and new born care. Necessary infection control measures should be in place. HIV treatment access needs to be maintained with no interruptions.
Given the gaps in resources and support systems for the health care facilities in developing countries, the risk is elevated for health care workers and in case of women it’s even more, not forgetting the fact that globally, women make up to 70 percent of the health workforce and are more likely to be front- line health workers, especially nurses, midwives and community health workers and in India, this figure
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