A lot of the countries that have dealt well with the COVID-19 virus have something in common: women leaders. There are a number of theories about this. I credit the one that says: it isn’t that women are automatically better leaders — it’s that countries willing to elect a woman leader are less stuck in patriarchal hierarchy, and willing to listen to good ideas no matter who has them.
As always, this diary is a team effort. Thanks to ramara, elenacarlena, mettle fatigue, SandraLLAP, and the WOW crew for links and discussion. [Sorry for the accidental early post last night! Coped, deleted, and re-posted for the regular time. Apologies to the people who’d already commented!]
COVID-19:
Grocery workers continue to deal with customers who refuse masks and don’t observe social distancing. This affects women disproportionately — for instance, women are 73% of cashiers.
Nurses are facing retaliation for speaking up about inadequate protective equipment.
The coronavirus recession is likely to hit women harder.
Violence and Harassment:
Harvey Weinstein has been charged in a third case in Los Angeles, a single felony count of sexual battery by restraint.
Some landlords are reportedly trying to extort sex from tenants who can’t pay rent.
Pope Francis said on Monday society had to stand behind women victims of domestic violence, as abuse increased around the world during coronavirus lockdowns.
Nigeria’s “house girls” endure abuse and exploitative labor.
Reproductive Rights:
Black Maternal Health Week highlights the disproportionately high rates of African-American maternal mortality and other health risks.
While Texas is one of the states using the corona crisis to prevent abortions (deeming them “unnecessary”), a federal appeals court required that they keep allowing drug-induced abortions.
Federal court blocks Arkansas abortion ban, and a district court blocks the abortion ban in Alabama.
Sex-positive sex ed in the era of social distancing.
Environmentalism:
In the Solomon Islands, Indigenous women are fighting logging and deforestation.
Good News and Action Items:
The Afghan girls’ robotic team designed an inexpensive ventilator out of car parts to help with the pandemic fight.
Petition to the FDA to allow telemedecine for abortions in all 50 states.
Petition to use the Defense Production Act to ramp up production of protective equipment for front-line health care workers.