President Ibrahim Mohamed Solih has stated the overall effects of the COVID-19 pandemic have been more severe on women, despite more men contracting the virus.
Delivering his remarks in recognition of World Population Day, President Solih acknowledged the World Population Day has fallen during a historic pandemic this year, noting COVID-19 has taken a heavy toll on healthcare systems, societies and economies on a global scale since it first emerged in Wuhan, China, in late 2019. He emphasised that while COVID-19 has impacted everyone, its burden continues to be disproportionately felt by women.
The president noted women account for the majority of healthcare workers worldwide and that the Maldives is no exception, with over 70% of Maldivian healthcare workers being women. Furthermore, he noted while statistics indicate that fewer women in the Maldives have contracted the virus relative to men, the effects of the national temporary restrictive measures and the lockdown imposed in the Greater Male’ Region were more severe on women.
President Solih stated gender differentiated household duties meant that the workload of women increased during the lockdown, adding working with little respite during these challenging times would have exacerbated the challenges to mental health and well-being caused by strict restrictive measures. The president noted he was especially concerned by increasing reports of domestic violence and cases of sexual abuse against women and girls, and emphasised his administration will give special priority to addressing these lamentable issues.
President Solih also remarked on some of the strides made by the Maldives with regard to ensuring a healthy population. As examples, he pointed to the successes of the Maldives in drastically reducing maternal deaths and the infant mortality rate. The president noted the country must collectively strive to create a healthy population, while addressing issues that detrimentally effect the well-being of communities despite the ongoing challenges of illnesses such as COVID-19.
The president ended his remarks with a prayer to grant good health and safety to Maldivian communities, and to safeguard the Maldives from COVID-19, so that the country can return to a life free from the pandemic.
Marked annually on July 11, the purpose of the World Population Day is to raise awareness on the major challenges confronting the population of each country, encompassing social, demographic and health issues. In light of the major threat posed by COVID-19 to communities around the world, and to women in particular, the theme for the World Population Day this year is ‘Putting the brakes on COVID-19: How to Safeguard the Health and Rights of Women and Girls Now’.