The Covid-19 pandemic threatens to derail progress toward gender equality and women’s rights even further. Women and girls are facing the brunt of the pandemic. This is especially true for the 264 million women and girls who live in conflict and fragile settings, where preexisting gender inequalities and patriarchal social norms are being exacerbated, and women are being further sidelined from all areas of decision making. In such contexts, women have limited decision making power because they are often on the periphery of peace and political solutions.

Despite these challenges, women continue to actively agitate for participation in efforts to combat and recover from Covid-19. As has been the case when they participate meaningfully in peacebuilding, women have proven to be effective leaders during global pandemics. As a global leader, the United States should elevate the voices of women in Covid-19 response and recovery efforts and ensure their meaningful participation in peace processes and politics post-pandemic.