The World Health Organization (WHO) has expressed concern over the impact of COVID-19 on women and girls in Africa.
WHO Regional Office for Africa in Brazzaville, Congo, stated this in a statement posted on its website on Thursday.
“Humanitarian crises, including health emergencies, affect men and women differently.
“As COVID-19 continues to spread in Africa, there are concerns over its impact on women and girls, with vulnerabilities feared to worsen as the pandemic overwhelms health systems.
“Although overall in the African Region, women account for around 40 per cent of COVID-19 cases, this ranges from 35 per cent in some countries to over 55 per cent in South Africa,’’ it stated.
The statement quoted Dr Matshidiso Moeti, WHO, Regional Director for Africa, as saying, “We are already seeing that the impact of COVID-19 on women and girls is profound.
“Women are disproportionately affected by lockdowns, and this is resulting in reduced access to health services.’’
