COVID-19. The Culprit behind every disaster the world is going through today socially, politically and economically. Every heard the phrase: “Survival of the fittest”? Ever since its beginning in Jan 2020, Covid-19 has been known to target the most vulnerable elderly and immunosuppressed individuals while the fittest amongst us survive. However, just as Covid-19 affects our health, it can also target the most socially vulnerable. Of those are women.
Why is that?
Women make up 23.8% of the Egyptian labor force and are most likely to work in the informal sector. According to the World Bank, approximately half of working women in Egypt are informally employed with minimal wages and limited or no access to social protection mechanisms. Moreover, according to “Egyptian Streets” Deputy Executive Director at the Banaty Foundation NGO, Nadine Khalife, clarified that many women in the Egyptian labor force are employed in tourism, retail, and hospitality, three of the sectors that were hit hardest by the COVID-19 closures and safety measures. Furthermore, it is important to notice that women are essential income producers, as well as the primary caregivers in most households. In other cases, they are the sole providers and caregivers for their families.
In Children’s Cancer Hospital 57357, women make up a great percent of our workforce with a noticeable number in leadership positions. Immediately after the start of the outbreak in Egypt, 57357 were amongst those who supported their female employees by allowing working mothers with children under the age of 12 and mothers with children with disabilities to have the right of paid leave following the suspension of schools and universities. As well as establishing an equality between both genders so as any beneficiaries applied to males during these hard times were also applied to females.
Women although socially vulnerable during these times, but will always be essential care givers for us. But in this context we don’t mean financially but rather mentally and emotionally. Amongst which are our mothers, our sisters, our daughters whom have supported us, cared for us and provided things money can never replace…. those who give meaning to our lives.
About the Author:
Rana Abdel Moniem
After graduating with a bachelor degree in pharmacy, I found my passion in the training field. It gives me great pleasure to pass on to others knowledge I have learned over the years through books or by experience. To me, good writing means leaving a fingerprint into the hearts of people. I hope one day I will be able to do that.
Instructional Designer at 57357
Bch. In Pharmacy
Enrolled MBA student