SINGLE mothers and elderly women, who are struggling because of the effects of the Novel Coronavirus (COVID-19) pandemic, have received support in the form of hampers from the Women in Maritime Association of the Caribbean- Guyana (WiMAC).
According to a statement from WiMAC, the COVID-19 pandemic’s disruptive impact on world business now and the future will negatively impact women.
A recent United Nations (UN) report cited 740 million women globally, work in the informal economy, and the global gender pay gap remains at 16 per cent and extend as high as 35 per cent in some countries.
In this regard, the WiMAC, in response to COVID – 19, and within its scope and resources, sponsored hampers for single women and older women, who are shut-ins. WiMAC, in recognising the role of these women on the frontline, wanted to extend its gratitude to each one of those women.
The donation of hampers was executed on May 29, 2020 in the St. Stanislaus College compound. Director General of the Maritime Administration Department (MARAD), Claudette Rogers, said such initiatives are necessary for compassion and empathy to be demonstrated.
“The Women in Maritime Association of the Caribbean – Guyana, seek to use this incredible opportunity in this heightened period of insecurity and fear, to be a light in a moment of darkness, and to encourage women to put their faith in God.
“We want to urge women to adhere to the guidelines and practices of the World Health Organization (WHO), Pan American Health Organization (PAHO), and the Ministry of Public Health, and also ensure that everyone and their families stay safely at home,” said Rogers.
Rogers extended gratitude IDEA Designs, Paul Moore, Louise Williams, Junshazenya’s World of Fashion and Cerulean Inc. for their support towards the venture. Women are on the forefront of the global response to COVID-19.
According to the International Labour Organization (ILO) statistics, 70 per cent of health workers are women, in approximately 100 countries. The constraints of the lockdown due to the pandemic will mean that women also face additional challenges, especially in the least-developed countries.
The UN data reveal that domestic violence has increased by 25 per cent in some countries because of quarantine. The risk of domestic violence against women and children increased, while support services for victims decreased.