Equality for Women and Girls

We are calling on funders of all types and sizes – foundations, governments and others – to stand with adolescent girls and young women during and after this global pandemic. Visit the Joint Statement and Recommendations created by the Child, Early & Forced Marriage and Unions and Sexuality Working Group, and Partners.

The global pandemic COVID-19 lays bare and exacerbates existing inequalities. For adolescent girls and young women in many places, this means that harmful impacts of patriarchy and gender inequality are magnified and intensified. The coronavirus pandemic and associated lockdowns heighten the perpetration of gender-based violence, elevate risks od child, early and forced unions (CEFMU); reduce mobility and spaces for mutual support and solidarity; increase the burden of unpaid care work; and, in some cases, raise the likelihood of girls staying out of school compared to boys – to name only some of the consequences.

We urge funding bodies, governments and all organizations working with adolescent girls and young women to join us in embracing this opportunity to push past the status quo.