The Canadian Partnership for Women and Children’s Health (CanWaCH) welcomed further recognition this week by the Government of Canada that the COVID-19 pandemic must be fought across all fronts around the globe and can only be won by supporting the world’s poorest and most vulnerable: women and children.
International Development Minister Karina Gould provided details for $159.5 million in funding to support global efforts to address the COVID-19 outbreak. The disbursement of funding targets a cross section of vulnerable populations, including refugees, migrants and those affected by armed conflict and violence.
The COVID-19 funding allocations recognize that women and children, already facing many significant challenges, will likely be taking on additional caregiving responsibilities in their families and communities. Further, amid the pandemic response, lack of access to critical health services, including water, sanitation, hygiene and sexual and reproductive health services will have the most profound and negative impact on the health, prosperity and opportunities for women and children.
CanWaCH encourages the Government of Canada to continue its approach in fighting COVID-19 by acknowledging the borderless nature of pandemics and that women and children will be among those most impacted by the fallout of the virus.
