COVID-19 is accelerating the debt crisis. Many low-income countries saddled with debt are diverting vital funds away from crucial public services like healthcare. And women and girls are paying the highest price.
The pandemic is widening the cracks in the global economy, yet it also presents an opportunity to reset our global economy with bold and just solutions that advance gender equality.
On 7 September, ActionAid hosted an online discussion on ‘Ending the Debt Crisis for Women’ with global debt and development experts, Lidy Nacpil, Dr Claire Slatter, and ActionAid’s Wangari Kinoti.
From the colonial history of the debt crisis, to its impact on women and girls living in poverty and exclusion, we discussed how wealthy countries like Australia can do more to push for debt cancellation so countries can respond to COVID-19, advance gender equality and human rights.