WHICH ROLE SHOULD WOMEN/GIRLS PLAY IN COVID-19?

Coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19) is a respiratory illness that can spread from person to person. The virus that causes COVID-19 is a novel coronavirus that was first identified during an investigation into an outbreak in Wuhan, China.

The virus has spread to over 175 countries with over 853,200 people infected and over 41,887 deaths recorded globally. Everyone is eligible to contract the virus if they have any close contact with those infected or if they get in touch with anything that has the virus. Women have a big role to play which ranges from creating awareness to taking care of COVID 19 patients as care givers and nurses.

COVID 19 general symptoms include dry cough, sneeze, body pain, weakness, high fever and difficulties in breathing. People at higher risk for infection are those who live in or have recently been in an area with ongoing spread of COVID-19. Risk of infection with COVID-19 is higher for people who are close contacts of someone known to have COVID-19, for example healthcare workers, most of which are women and girls. In order for the fight against COVID 19 be effective, women/girls have a lot to do as far as sensitization is concern which is primordial in the fight against the virus.

Most health workers are women/girls who besides being health workers have other roles to play in the society. As health workers, they are in the right place to better educate their patients on the need to isolate themselves in order to reduce the spread of the virus and possible new infections. It is important to note that as wives and home managers, women are responsible for the wellbeing of the family and will do all they can to inform family members on the dangers of being infected with the virus and the need to adopt preventive measures. Most women/girls hold positions in the society like presidents of Christian groups, “njangi houses”, community projects to name but a few which can facilitate the dissemination of information about COVID 19 and the measures to be put in place to fight it. Every woman/girl should be an ambassador in the fight against COVID 19 by ensuring that they sensitize other women/girls on updates concerning the virus and how it can be prevented.

Proposed measures by the WHO stipulates that people should cultivate the habit of frequently washing hands with soap under running water. Avoid handshakes, kisses, hugs and stand at least a meter apart from people when in public with face mask on. Use hand sanitizers and avoid sneezing or coughing in the hands and stay at home so that health practitioners can regulate the spread. All the above measures with others will help women/girls to fight COVID 19.

Thus one will conclude that women/girls should educate themselves and others that COVID 19 is real and it is neither racial nor gender biased so everyone should cling to the stipulated health measures laid by WHO.

By: LAWIR BLESSING VERNYUY, for RuWCED COVID-19 Challenge 2020