International Women's Day

Messages


Julie Ward

Co-Chair, Urban Economy Forum, Former British Member of European Parliament 2014-2020

Julie's Message

It is indeed striking that women in cities make most of the front line in the fight against COVID-19. WHO research tells us that 70% of healthcare workers around the world are women. Women have demonstrated strong leadership and participation in combating the current pandemic as frontline workers in essential services, caregivers, community organizers and innovators to build capacity and resilience in the face of COVID-19. But unfortunately women are also bearing the brunt of the pandemic’s impact. The effects on women have been multiple: increased violence and domestic violence in particular, unpaid care duties due to school closures and social distancing measures, unemployment and poverty. Women today continue to make the majority of the world’s poor, have fewer rights and less control over decisions that shape their lives.


Let us collectively promote gender parity, raise awareness against bias and urge cities and towns to take action for equality and empowerment of women across the world.

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