Dear sisters,


The following are some things to think about and work on during the COVID-19 crisis: 


In all class societies we females have been expected to sacrifice ourselves (our lives, our autonomy, our bodies). There is an expectation that others come first, that we are the caretakers, that our lives don’t really matter, that we are responsible for the well-being of all other humans. Can you think of some examples of this in our present situation?


Even when there is no overt, public, or major crisis, women’s issues have most often been trivialized. During a major crisis (like today’s) the issues are perceived as nonexistent or immaterial. 


What is happening with women’s issues during COVID-19? What is happening in terms of sexual violence, sexual exploitation, domestic violence, reproductive issues, low-paid jobs, unpaid work, child-raising, relationships with men, and so on? 


Domestic violence (often invisible to the public and the fears of it often denied) is already a big epidemic. According to the World Health Organization, one in three women worldwide is a victim of physical or sexual violence. Reports from China suggest that COVID-19 significantly increased domestic violence.


I was horrified, particularly as an older female, to learn that in Italy and China, older patients (mostly women) would be less likely to get ventilators than younger patients (and therefore be more likely to die). 


Let’s discharge on how COVID-19 and the societal policies surrounding it are affecting us as females. How are you experiencing sexism and male domination at this time? 


I encourage you to connect with other women and work on the issues raised in this e-mail. You can write to me at dibalser@comcast.net if you have questions or need help.