Official statement

The Coronavirus outbreak has devastated communities across the globe. For women who lack resources and access to information, the threats of Coronavirus become even more severe. Over the last three weeks, many of Circle’s partner schools have rallied their communities together, using educational tools and facilities to support those around them. The MAIA Impact School in Guatemala has launched a series of videos, providing instructions on disease prevention techniques and entrepreneurial skills. Daraja Academy in Kenya has provided a hand-washing station outside the school for local community members. We’re moved by these incredible responses, and emphasize the immeasurable value of global community in times like these.

We’d also like to reaffirm that Circle will continue operations throughout this period. Though our individual chapters will not meet in person, we’ve built strategies that will allow us to continue our work remotely. If you have any questions about how Circle of Women will proceed during the Coronavirus pandemic, we’d be more than happy to answer. Please contact pr@circleofwomen.org for more information or assistance.

HOW IS COvid-19 IMPACTING our PARTNER SCHOOLS?

According to UNESCO, approximately 90% of the world’s countries have shut down schools in response to the COVID-19 crisis. As Circle’s partner schools close in response to the viral outbreak, our partners now navigate the prospect of remote education in particularly vulnerable areas. As a whole, our partner schools have noted serious disruptions to learning, as most girls live in rural areas with no access to internet. Our SVP project parters in Peru, our APU Project partners in Malawi, our MAIA Project partner in Guatemala, and our Daraja project partners in Kenya are each striving towards implementing distance learning for their girls. This requires a variety of techniques, including radio systems, home coursework kits, and fundraising for smartphone access in the home. That being said, our project partners have communicated challenges to us—including a lack of funding, lack of access to food, and increased amount of household duties for students—ones which we’re working to help alleviate now.

HELPFUL RESOURCES

During this time, it’s critical we stay educated on the impacts of Coronavirus on vulnerable populations, as well as help explore resources to further develop solutions. Circle’s own Northwestern Chapter has pioneered these efforts within Circle, as they recently released a working paper discussing issues of domestic violence, effects of COVID-19 on frontline workers, low wage earners, and reproductive health.

Other organizations have provided crucial information as well. Circle of Women has used the following sources to educate ourselves on the multiple impacts of Coronavirus:

Please read these sources, and contact Circle of Women with any questions, concerns, or solutions developed at this time.