By Francesca Merlo
The Forum, entitled "Hopes and challenges in a post-Covid era" focused on how the coronavirus pandemic has exacerbated and increased the challenges women face around the globe, from vulnerable refugees to working mothers.
Include women in policy making
Opening the Virtual Forum, the Vice President of Costa Rica, Epsy Campbell Barr, a trained economist, told participants that the COVID-19 pandemic has threatened to set back economic development for women for the first time in 30 years, and that it is "essential to make money available to women" in order for them to develop their businesses and communities amid the pandemic. She also stressed the importance of putting nature at the forefront of the development agenda. "This is a time to work with women with specific policies, in all areas of social development," she said.