Virtual event discusses impact of Covid-19 on women
AN ANNUAL initiative to mark International Women’s Day went virtual for the first time last week, with an array of influential figures from around the world taking part.
Launched in 2018, the event offers a platform for non-parliamentarians to speak in parliament to “inspire and drive a commitment to tangible change for women of all races and ethnicities”.
Bestselling author and former monk Jay Shetty; musician writer Jahnavi Harrison; CEO and founder of Starling Bank Anne Boden; group chief executive officer of Natwest Group Alison Rose and fashion designer Anya Hindmarch CBE were among speakers at the event.
On the impact of Covid-19 on women, diversity campaigner and the event’s co-organiser, Rupal Sachdev Kantaria, said: “Covid has plunged the global economy into the worst economic recession of our time and the impact on women has been greater. Their jobs are 1.8 times more vulnerable to this crisis than men’s – it’s the so-called She-cession.
“This is impacting all types of women – those less skilled as well as senior professionals – and the burden of burnout, taking on yet more unpaid work really come to the fore during home schooling, home working.”
The debate was concluded by co-organiser Rupa Popat, who said: “We are united in our message today; that we must choose to challenge our own biases and the inequalities we see in our home, our workplace and our community. We need all stakeholders to play their part – government, schools, corporates, charities, communities and each one of us.”
Mirrored like a parliamentary debate, each speaker had five minutes to speak on the significance of International Women’s Day. The debate, supported by Lord Dolar Popat and Lady Sandhya Popat, drew more than 2,000 participants.