COVID-19 is arguably one of the biggest pandemics to hit the world in recent times. Globally, it has affected the achievement of the Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs) as governments across the world have focused on implementing containment measures. In Kenya, the first confirmed case of COVID-19 in March 2020 and the ensuing containment measures had unprecedented effects on the country’s economic and social outcomes with an often-disproportionate burden on women and girls.

In response to this, UN Women, in partnership with the Government of Kenya, UNFPA, OXFAM Kenya and CARE Kenya commissioned a COVID-19 Gender Assessment using Computer Assisted Telephone Interviews (CATI) methodology, to understand the gendered effects of the COVID-19 pandemic on women and girls in Kenya. Specifically, the report assesses the effect of COVID-19 on: income, including remittances; food security; education; unpaid care and domestic work; access to healthcare services; access to sexual and reproductive health services; access to social protection; access to water and sanitation services; gender-based violence (GBV) due to restrictions associated with COVID-19, and the prevention and response mechanisms.

The report also provides policy recommendations that will guide COVID-19 responses and recovery plans for Kenya.