The Covid-19 pandemic has brought to light many injustices in our societal structure. As Catherine Powell, an associate professor at Fordham University, notes, the pandemic "lays bare underlying gendered and raced inequalities" in our nation. The intersection of these identities for women of color has made the pandemic a particularly devastating time.
Let's start with gendered imbalances. Women make up the majority of essential workers, as well as 77% of healthcare workers. Women (especially WOC) are more likely than men to live in poverty, meaning that they have a higher risk of food insecurity in a time where their usual resources such as grocery stores and food banks are experiencing shortages. Women who live in homes with unsafe conditions, as a result of domestic violence for example, are left without safe ways to leave. There are additional challenges for women of color, especially immigrants and undocumented women, who may face language barriers, lack of community, or fear of deportation. People of color also face increased risks during this pandemic. Education systems in low income communities have less infrastructure and resources. People of color are overrepresented in low income communities, and their schools have been closed by the pandemic, but many of these communities and education centers do not have the resources to provide quality online education OR move to reopen soon. Black, Latinx, and Indigenous communities have shown highers rates of infection and increased fatality rates from Covid-19 compared to whites, and Asian communities have been hit with increased violence and xenophobia, particularly demonstrated by rampant hate crimes. The virus disproportionately affects both people of color and women. Women of color face the implications of both these identities. On top of this, there is more. Women of color are overrepresented in some industries experiencing the biggest job losses due to the virus, such as childcare. Those still working do not have the option to work safely from home. Healthcare systems are notorious for not treating women of color properly. WOC are underrepresented in medical research and data sets and have statistically worse healthcare outcomes as a result. This is especially dangerous during a pandemic. Women of color, due to their identity as women and their identity as people of color, are at an increased risk of contracting the virus, and the situation caused by the virus disproportionately affects them and their futures. Wear a mask. Social distance. Keep those around you safe. Sources: Forbes and Society for Women's Health Research *This blog post was adapted from an Instagram thread posted 7/24/20*
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Neha SaggiFounder and director of LeadHERship. Archives
March 2021
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