From Crisis to a New Social Compact:
An inclusive, intersectional feminist approach is the only way out of the COVID Crisis
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SUMMARY: WIMN says that this is no time for business as usual. Without bold action, the crisis will compound global injustices and inequalities, further marginalizing women, people of color, migrants, informal economy workers, and other exploited groups. If we attempt to defeat a worldwide pandemic by erecting barriers and walls rather than elevating the universality of human rights and needs, we are doomed to fail and risk entrenchment of authoritarian and corporate power structures that threaten the political and economic rights of all working families…
“We can emerge from this crisis stronger, more just and more equal. To steer toward that brighter future, world leaders need to think big – and they need to listen to women. Given their many roles as providers, care givers, home keepers, and essential workers in both the formal and informal economy, women, including LGBTQI women, have a multilayered understanding of the impact of the crisis on family, community and work realities that clarifies the breadth and scale of response that is needed…
“Now is the time to address systemic failures, not merely restore flawed systems. The Women in Migration Network (WIMN), is demanding an inclusive, transformational agenda that restructures our healthcare, economic and migration systems to be gender responsive, put people first and value all people equally. We call on states to make regularization of migrants a core component of crisis response, and applaud those that are implementing inclusive, rights-based and gender-responsive approaches. WIMN is committed to sharing these best practices and other international frameworks and models that can inform strategic local and national advocacy. To do so, WIMN will continue to inform and educate our networks to ensure that migrant women are safe, know their rights, and are prepared to advocate for fair treatment and progressive structural reforms — including durable social protections in countries of origin, transit and destination; robust labor protection frameworks; gender-sensitive, rights-based immigration systems; emergency responses that contribute to regenerative, sustainable economies, clear checks on corporate power; and stronger democratic institutions.”