fbpx

The Centre for Human Rights, Faculty of Law, at the University of Pretoria (Centre for Human Rights), is extending an invitation to you to participate in a webinar launching a study on the impact of COVID-19 on older women in Southern Africa.

 The COVID-19 pandemic (the pandemic) posed peculiar challenges to the protection and promotion of human rights globally, including the African region. The direct impact on the enjoyment of socio-economic rights such as the rights to health, livelihood and attainment of the highest standard of living is most apparent. The pandemic also greatly impacted the mortality rates of the global populace especially older person who by virtue of age have a lower immunity to diseases and deadly viruses.

Even before the pandemic, older women in Africa were experiencing high levels of marginalisation, with limited access to social services and social protection measures. Arguably, the pandemic exacerbated this marginalisation. Thus, through this study, the Centre for Human Rights sought to enhance the collection of evidence on measures taken by African countries in relation to the COVID-19 pandemic, and the impact of these measures on older women in particular.

This study interrogated the state measure and policies adopted in the selected five Southern African states as to whether older women were considered and targeted in the adoption of COVID-19 related measured and policies as part of the marginalised and vulnerable members of society in need of protection. The documentation of the impact of the pandemic on older women in these states helps to highlight the intersectional impact of the pandemic and to underscore the need for a nuanced and holistic approach to responses to emergencies, that takes into account the particular vulnerabilities of certain groups like older women in the design of response measures in the future.

Download English Brochure

Download French Brochure

Event Information

Date: Monday, 03 October 2022

Time: 12h00 - 13h30 SAST, Johannesburg


For more information, please contact:

Ms Henrietta Ekefre
Project Officer: Women’s Rights Unit

Tel: +27 (0) 12 420 4306
Fax: +27 (0) 86 580 5743
 henrietta.ekefre@up.ac.za

Ms Lydia Chibwe
Project Officer: Women's Rights Unit

Tel: +27 (0) 12 420 4197
Fax: +27 (0) 86 580 5743
  lydia.chibwe@up.ac.za