ECOSOCC RESEARCH STUDY: Assessing the Impact of Covid-19 Response Measures on Women and Girls in Africa

the Economic, Social and Cultural Council (ECOSOCC) commissioned an in-depth study assessing the impact of COVID-19 response measures on women and girls in Africa.

The specific objectives of the study are:

1. Investigate, based on authoritative evidence, the potential nexus between COVID-19 lockdown measures and an increase in gender-based violence (GBV) in African Union Member States;
2. Evaluate the economic impact of COVID-19 response measures on women in regular and irregular employment;
3. Examine the impact of COVID-19 response measures on women's access to quality reproductive health care;
4. Assess the impact of COVID-19 response measures on girls' education and the resultant incidents of child marriage and unwanted pregnancy;
5. Review international best practices for a gender-sensitive response to public emergencies;
6. Formulate evidence-based proposals to policy makers for a gendered response to public emergencies in Africa;
7. Develop, based on the research findings, a 5-page policy brief to be submitted to the policy makers at the national and continental levels