Women and the pandemic
The burden of the pandemic is on women’s shoulders, privately and publicly. Involuntary and voluntary stay at home mothers are silently dealing with excessive care-work. Nurses, community service providers, elder-care workers, and store clerks made up predominantly of diverse women are continuing to put themselves on the frontlines without public recognition, a risk to themselves and others.
Although some are making headlines, such as Canada’s 10 chief medical officers, inaccurate representation in public policy continues to limit the potential of the healthcare system. Systemic barriers, gender bias, discrimination, and gender stereotypes continue to hold women back in social, economic, and health policy making,which consequently limit the diversity of innovators trying to find solutions to COVID-19 and its effects.