Strengthening gender equality in the context of COVID-19

Let’s take advantage of these times, during which families will stay at home, in order to promote gender equality among all.

In these days of confinement, distribute care and domestic tasks equally among men and women in the family. 

Boys, girls and adolescents learn about who and what they can be by playing; avoid limiting their dreams and involve them in games and activities that are not gender-stereotyped. 

Menstruation is a normal process that adolescent girls and women experience once a month, and they need respect for their privacy in order to handle it with dignity. 

Sanitary napkins are part of the basic products which a family cannot stop buying. 

Violence is never an adequate response to differences of opinion, to stress, or to any other factor. If girls, adolescents or women are experiencing situations of violence, seek help as soon as possible.

Girls, boys and adolescents may spend more time on social networks during confinement.

Their caregivers must be more vigilant  to keep them safe from cyber-bullying, sexting, grooming and from virtual violence networks, without severing their connection to friends and family

Take advantage of this time to teach boys, girls and adolescents about people who have fought for equality among men and women. Talk to them about women who have contributed to change the country’s history; learning with them about equality will create bonds that will last after confinement is over!