- An article by the Gender and Covid-19 Working Group published at The Lancet suggests that coronavirus policies that do not accommodate the different circumstances for women hinder the fight against the spread of the disease. Women make up approximately 70 percent of the healthcare workforce and are the primary providers of childcare.
- The Idaho State Senate passed a bill banning males who identify as female from competing in women’s sports. The measure would apply to all women’s teams in public schools, including universities.
- Scottish Parliament discussed a proposed bill to improve women’s access to female medical practitioners for forensic exams after reporting rape and sexual assault. The Scotsman reports:
“The proposed Forensic Medical Services (Victims of Sexual Offences) (Scotland) Bill would also give women across Scotland the right to “self-refer”, having forensic evidence taken and retained – even if they decide not to report the incident to police – as well as assessments for their healthcare needs.”
- UK Prime Minister Boris Johnson announced that pregnant women will be advised to stay indoors for three months to avoid catching the coronavirus. England’s Chief Medical Officer, Chris Whitty, is calling the measure “extremely precautionary.”