* This is a work in progress resource, keep checking for updated information*
As the world continues to respond to the global pandemic of Covid-19, the coronavirus, the situation on the ground in every country is changing rapidly. The ACT Security Group is putting together regular updates of their advice on how to deal with this virus. The ACT Secretariat is in contact with forums and members around the world, and is looking into additional supports and responses that are possible from the Alliance. We will continue to post updates to our website as they are available, to share our recommendations and responses to this situation.
WHO official page on COVID-19
Getting the workplace ready for COVID-19
Infographics for social media use
WHO FAQs
Download the latest advice from the ACT Security Group (March 16) here.
Check all the resources on the Programme Guide on Coronavirus: here
- Around the world, women make up a majority of health care workers, almost 70 percent according to some estimates, and most of them occupy nursing roles — on the front lines of efforts to combat and contain outbreaks of disease. In China’s Hubei Province, where the current coronavirus outbreak originated, about 90 percent of health care workers are women. Nurses are also more exposed to virus than doctors.
- As with every crisis it is very likely that the burden of care will fall on women, particularly if someone in the family is sick, increasing the chances of contagion, and where a mandatory closure of schools is implemented. This applies both to rural and developing contexts but also to urban poor homes and communities..
- Social distancing is necessary to Flatten the Curve, however this is problematic when it comes to domestic violence. Domestic violence victims will be forced to isolate with their partner, this means that episodes of domestic violence might increase.
- Travel restrictions will create uncertainty and financial problems for the mostly female foreign domestic workers, especially in South East Asia. Access to health services for migrant female workers will also be challenging as many don’t have health insurance. This also applies to illegal or undocumented migrants and those confined to refugee camps.
- During the outbreak of Ebola in 2014-16, women were more likely to be infected but also they were less likely to have decision-making power around the health emergency.
- As the crisis widens its geographical reach, resources for Sexual and Reproductive health might likely to be diverted to facing the outbreak emergency. This might impact women negatively as could turn into inadequate access to hospitals and have a great impact on maternal health and mortality rate.
- Stockpiling/hoarding by those who can afford to do so may affect less privileged women from accessing sanitary/menstrual supplies, further increasing health risks and isolation.
- Women who survive in the informal sector and are unable to continue their work due to social distancing policies may be pushed into increasingly dangerous activities to survive.
- The outbreak might also impact and disrupt girls’ education in vulnerable contexts.
- Single parents will also be heavily affected as the outbreak decreases financial security and increase chances of being exposed to the virus
Resources, tips and trainings by ACTLearn
As we navigate in these troubling times of Covid-19, we are increasingly challenged by working remotely and conducting meetings and trainings online. Fortunately, ACT Alliance’s learning collaboration, ACTLearn, has focused on online collaboration and learning for several years and is ready to support! ACT Alliance members can take advantage of this collaboration and its resources.
A number of opportunities are listed below:
Advanced Online Facilitation – Making your webinar or online meeting engaging and motivational
Get inspiration, useful tips and other helpful resources for working with dispersed teams, hosting online meetings and trainings, and much more. Participation is free. The webinar is hosted by DanChurchAid’s Learning Lab.
The first webinar will take place on Thursday, March 26th from 9:00-10:00 CET. Find out more about the webinar.
Join the ACTLearn/Fabo collaboration and develop your own online courses
If you are interested to know more about the ACTLearn/Fabo collaboration, please contact Head of Learning Lab, Simon Skårhøj, ssk@dca.dk, DanChurchAid. You can also read more here.
Virtual Work Site – inspiration and sharing space on working and training online
Learning Lab has launched a new virtual work site for experience sharing to help transition from in-person working to remote working. The site gathers resources, tips and tricks all in one place.
ACTLearn Hub for Learning – gate for ACT Alliance Members
This is a learning gate on fabo.org for ACT Alliance Members. On the site you can find courses for ACT Alliance Members. We are currently developing the catalogue. We are excited to offer free courses on “Code of Conduct“, “Complaints”, “Facilitation” and “Religion and Development”. https://fabo.org/act
