Social Protection for Socioeconomically Vulnerable Women of Pakistan- During Covid-19 and Beyond

Abstract

Ensuring United Nations Sustainable Development Goals are met collectively for the protection of women, requires a broadening of discussion and efforts from reproductive health to investigate ethical challenges facing women during COVID-19. The aim of this paper is to discuss issues of ethics, equity, and rights for the health access of socioeconomically vulnerable women of Pakistan. Deriving from two feminist approaches to ethics-power and care, we analyse four different areas which are contributing to women becoming further disadvantaged, including (i) state and health sector response, (ii) income loss and worsening poverty, (iii) patriarchy and decision-making, and (iv) neglect of health issues not pertaining to infectious disease. We conclude with recommendations to form a triadic partnership between the health sector, government and the economy to provide women with a social protection floor to improve health outcomes.