Crisis response

In an address to a virtual town hall with young women from civil society organizations, the Secretary-General said that the global pandemic has already reversed decades of limited and fragile progress on gender equality and women’s rights.

“Without a concerned response, we risk losing a generation or more of gains”, he cautioned.

Local female leaders in Norman and Oklahoma City have been subject to threats, harassment and sexism in recent months.

The COVID-19 pandemic coupled with urgent calls for racial justice have stirred a new group of vocal critics, with their anger spilling over into emails, tweets and direct messages to their city councilors.

For local female politicians, that outcry comes with a layer of sexism veiled in gendered insults, name-calling and personal attacks directed at their appearance.

There are fears October's local government elections could see a return of all-male councils in Victoria, with concerns fewer women will stand because of coronavirus impacts.

The Colac-Otway Shire in south-west Victoria is one of 14 councils in the state with only one woman — for the past four years that has been Kate Hanson.

"Sometimes I feel like I really stand out because I am the only female on council, but most importantly I feel women need a voice on council," she said.

"So I'm really proud to fulfil that role."

As infections and the death toll for the new coronavirus pandemic mount, African countries have introduced measures to reduce the spread, raise awareness among communities and gain citizens’ compliance. But the potential contribution of traditional leaders has mostly not been considered. This is despite the role they have played in addressing health crises in many African countries.