Author: AGUEH Dossi Sekonnou Gloria (President of the Network of Women Leaders for Development – RFLD)
Contact the RFLD President at admin@rflgd.org
While the whole of humanity is still suffering from the horrors of the Ebola virus, Covid-19 has emerged in the most unpredictable of ways. Sparing no country, this pandemic has affected virtually all the world’s powers, with a very exorbitant toll.
Despite the numerous measures taken by the world’s major organizations to counter Covid-19, it is clear that this singular calamity never tires of affecting the global economy and wreaking havoc around the world. Human rights organizations have not remained on the sidelines of the pandemic’s misdeeds.
What impact has Covid-19 had on human rights organizations?
What is the impact of this virus on human rights organizations?
First and foremost, we need to know what human rights organizations are all about, their role in the life of every citizen and their various battles for peace and stability, not forgetting to go into the smallest detail about each of their areas of intervention. Indeed, human rights organizations are responsible for defending any fundamental right on behalf of an individual or group of people. Their main mission is to ensure that human rights are respected without discrimination of any kind. They also work to promote and protect civil and political rights, and to promote, protect and implement economic, social and cultural rights.
In short, human rights defenders intervene in all kinds of human rights situations. They have several areas of intervention: the fight against torture, the fight against discrimination, access to healthcare, employment problems. They also work for food and water, decent housing, education and so on. Human rights organizations play a very active role in rehabilitating the material conditions needed to make respect for human rights a reality.
The hallmark of a human rights defender is his or her dedication to working alongside the most disadvantaged citizens to ensure a better tomorrow.
In the social sphere, human rights organizations work to improve the daily lives of all citizens, regardless of who they are. They also ensure political freedom for all by reducing the various tensions (political and social).
In short, human rights organizations work for the fulfillment and freedom of all citizens.
To achieve each of these missions, human rights organizations generally focus on gathering and disseminating information, raising awareness and mobilizing public opinion. Many non-governmental organizations (NGOs) and intergovernmental organizations are involved in each of these activities. They also help human rights defenders to set up housing and healthcare projects. But the advent of the Covid-19 pandemic has undermined the various achievements of human rights defenders.
Indeed, with the various restrictions imposed by Covid-19, large gatherings are no longer permitted. This forces these organizations to refocus their targets in order to better achieve their objectives.
As a result of these various restrictions, some organizations are unfortunately unable to honor their statutory meetings. The confinement decreed by the various states also accentuates health problems, leading to numerous cases of death. Human rights defenders are also finding it extremely difficult to integrate with other communities, due to the security barriers in place, which unfortunately limits the scope of their social work.
The many consequences of this crisis on human integrity
The covid-19 pandemic has damaged the entire health system. Global agencies and institutions, deeply affected by the spread of the pandemic, have made financial contributions to affected countries. Governments have implemented policies to decentralize existing subsidies so that the evil of COVID19 can be eradicated. To create an attractive investment climate, it is vital to ensure the transparency of all financial commitments.
In addition to the deterioration of the healthcare system, this pandemic has also accentuated inequalities and put the spotlight on the homeless, refugees, political exiles, fatherless and motherless children, women, the needy, migrants, people living in war zones, and so on.
In addition, the increased difficulties of access to primary healthcare due to this pandemic will certainly have lasting effects on the development of human capital.
What are the solutions for a perfect balance during the pandemic?
From our various analyses, it is abundantly clear that the Covid-19 pandemic is plunging the entire planet into extreme recession. It is therefore urgent to find a solution that will enable nations to boost their economies, while at the same time ensuring the safety of their citizens.
To achieve this, the international community must unite to find solutions that will enable the most solid possible recovery of the various economic activities that have long since been abandoned.
