The article “Expanding Reach: Addressing Gender Barriers in COVID-19 Vaccine Rollout” talks about the importance of gender equality in the deployment of the COVID-19 vaccine. The article also highlights the significance of reaching citizens with different genders with the vaccine.
Thus, experts emphasize that today the inequality in this area is becoming more and more obvious. Among other things, the author of the news article pays special attention to the barriers that women face when vaccinating. In this context, it should be noted that women often have limited mobility when accessing health facilities. Moreover, limited decision-making powers, as well as insufficient access to resources, also have a detrimental impact on the gender specifics of the issue. Finally, women and gender-diverse communities are at risk from harassment and violence when seeking medical services.
Women’s movements have a particularly important impact on removing such gender barriers. Dr. Choolwe Jacobs states that women in low-income countries often do not have sufficient health awareness, which prevents equal vaccination (World Health Organization, 2021). In this context, women’s non-governmental organizations should provide educational activities. In addition, the article notes that women do not have sufficient representation in decision-making. Without women’s participation, gender inequality will continue to worsen steadily. Finally, the article highlights that women and girls have been hit extremely hard by the effects of the pandemic.
This is evidenced by the increase in the level of violence and unemployment among the female population. Thus, in conclusion, the author of the article argues that women should have more opportunities and rights than they do now. Dr. Mariângela Batista Galvão Simão states that inequality causes progress to slow down around the world (World Health Organization, 2021). Accordingly, in order to achieve security, countries must overcome existing gender barriers.
Reference
World Health Organization. (2021). Expanding reach: Addressing gender barriers in COVID-19 vaccine rollout. Web.