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U.N. Deputy Chief addresses issues surrounding the COVID-19 pandemic

Emblem of the United Nations Security Council Emblem of the United Nations Security Council Jewish Virtual Library

03 November 2020

Covid-19 has worsened armed conflicts and impeded access to healthcare in conflict-ridden areas

The United Nations (U.N) Deputy Chief, Amina Mohammed, addressed the U.N Security Council on Tuesday, November the 3rd. She began her argument by emphasising that statesmen and local governments are not making enough progress in tackling the ramifications of the ongoing pandemic in conflict-affected areas across the world.  She stated that the lack of adequate healthcare, financial prosperity, and climate events are “creating social unrest, domestic violence, and deficit in democratic deficits  in the Sahel and the  Middle East.” Ms. Mohammed also underlined that women are, on average, the most affected demographic by these three core issues.

She mentioned that the gender divide between the allocation of jobs in sectors that have been hit the hardest by forced lockdowns is disproportionately skewed towards women. Not only are women suffering substantial losses of income, social security, and healthcare, but they are also exposed to a vast amount of gender-based violence in their homes. While at home, women are either physically abused by their partners or forced to endure the violence of armed groups who terrorize their communities. 

Ms. Mohammed concluded her speech by emphasizing that there needs to be a push towards a global ceasefire if the most vulnerable populations are to have a chance in fighting against the effects of the COVID-19 pandemic. By securing peace in conflict-ridden areas, it would be possible to create new opportunities to facilitate the growth in the areas of human development and healthcare. She stated that national governments needed to work together to promote innovative ways to improve learning, working, and socializing more productively. 




To learn more, please read: 

https://news.un.org/en/story/2020/11/1076792 

https://www.diplomatie.gouv.fr/en/french-foreign-policy/united-nations/news-and-events/news/events-2017/article/united-nations-meeting-with-amina-mohammed-un-deputy-secretary-general-04-04-17 

 

Author: Sergio Gomez ; Editor: Aleksandra Krol

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