"I was never a fearful person, but today I am afraid." That's what I thought when walking to a friend's house nearby to return a phone he lent me after mine was stolen. Both times, I was walking down an avenue. At some point in my life I was told that it was better to opt for larger streets, because there are more people there. However, as I was walking I realized that, if I … [Read more...] about Insecurity and street harassment in the time of COVID-19
Data for Equality
In the realm of public polices, data is a great diagnostician. Much like x-rays and blood tests, data helps to identify where the problems lie and to uncover their causes. Without such information, how can we possibly treat our social ills? Today is the International Day against Homophobia, Transphobia and Biphobia (IDAHOTB), a global annual landmark dedicated to increasing … [Read more...] about Data for Equality
No great equalizer
As we have struggled to navigate the current crisis, we have heard the coronavirus referred to as a “great equalizer”. These claims, however, were swiftly rebuked. While the virus can indeed affect any one of us, we know that individuals with preexisting medical conditions are extremely vulnerable. And pre-existing social and economic inequalities can be just as devastating. … [Read more...] about No great equalizer
Exposure and Inequalities: African Descendants During COVID-19
Initial evidence that COVID-19 is reaching Afro descendant communities in Latin America is growing. Statistics in Brazil show that Afro-Brazilians are more likely to have severe respiratory symptoms that are lethal (more than 20%), while the Colombian Pacific coast, with a large Afro-Colombian and indigenous population, registered the first cases of coronavirus weeks ago, and … [Read more...] about Exposure and Inequalities: African Descendants During COVID-19
Responsiveness put to the test
The emergency generated by the COVID-19 pandemic has put to the test the public and private sectors´ response capacity as never before. It is alarming to see in the news how the pandemic overflows the healthcare system in developed countries. Likewise, the response capacity of other critical sectors has also been severely affected. For example, social protection services … [Read more...] about Responsiveness put to the test