CGSS organizes webinar aiming to analyze how COVID-19 is impacting women.

ISLAMABAD -- Center for Global and Strategic Studies (CGSS), Islamabad organized a Webinar on 'COVID-19 Chronicles: A Women Perspective'. The aim of the Webinar was to analyze how COVID-19 is impacting women and to allow the respective authorities to respond effectively to their vulnerabilities.

The session was commenced with the opening remarks by Ms. Mehreen Gul, Director CGSS. She welcomed all the speakers and participants to the Webinar. She highlighted the significant role of women in our society and how women have continued to play a constructive role in nation building.

Ms. Kaana Aidarkul, Chairperson, Kyrgyz Association of Women in the Security Sector, Kyrgyz Republic highlighted the situation of women in Kyrgyzstan during COVID-19.

She stressed on the central role of women in combating the pandemic by mentioning the address of the Head of UN, AntonioGuterres, 'women's leadership and contribution can be used as a central element in ensuring resilience and recovery'. She stated that women should be assigned the role of leaders with equal representation and equal decision-making authority.

Dr Rafia Rafique, Director Institute of Applied Psychology, University of the Punjab, Lahore stated that as the pandemic of COVID-19 continues to spread in Pakistan, it is necessary to recognize immediate and long term psychological needs of women. Furthermore, Women are wedged at home and exposed to the abusers for longer periods of time with limited options to access essential services. Clinical management and psycho-social support was harder to access during the lockdown for women already facing mental health challenges.

Ms. Kempirbayeva Dilyara, First secretary, Embassy of the Republic of Kazakhstan to Pakistanstressed on the importance of discussing women issues during the pandemic. She stated that women from one hand carries the cradle and from the other hand carries the world. She also mentioned how the Kazakh Government is taking different measures to ensure the safety of its citizens and assisting the people to cope with the pandemic.

Ms. Faiza Sheikh, Lawyer in the Jurisdiction of England and Wales, Pakistan stated that women make up more than half of the frontline workers whether it is education...