Where COVID has spelt many hurdles for women, the industry of healthcare workers and frontline workers is welcoming them with open arms. Given the natural  instinct of women to want to take care of others, their adeptness at communication, and their ability to multi-task, women are making a mark for themselves as doctors, nurses, support staff, educators and public message agents for COVID.

But their worries are far from over. Not only do they have to do life-risking jobs in the absence of their trained male counterparts, but are also discriminated when it comes to payments and are ill-treated or looked down upon by people.

Just like Sushma from Maharasthra.

Sushma stationed in Beed, Maharashtra, works for the Maharashtra State Electricity Board (MSEB) and has been working day in and out to make sure while everyone is at home, no one has to face the inconvenience of a power cut or electricity-related issues. She has been climbing up the power-house poles and antennas to check and repair the connections, visiting different houses for attending the inquiries and complaints mostly by herself—all areas erstwhile male dominated.
 She says, “When I visit people’s houses to solve their problems they treat me as if I am someone who’s responsible for the problems they are facing. Moreover, with the scare of COVID, they treat me as someone who is going to bring the virus into their houses since being out on the field is my job. I just hope they understand the trouble we go through and assist us while we work with just polite words and manners at least.” 

While Sushma’s  is just a one off story of women exploring newer avenues in their jobs, they also face the struggle of being discriminated when it comes to payments.

A group of social workers in Karnataka has expressed their concern about the bare minimum wages they get. As per their workload and importance of the tasks, their worth is calculated only up to Rs.30/- per day. As if this was not unjust enough, when they go from house to house in the scorching heat, for a general data check and looking for any suspects of COVID, people treat them as if they are the virus-infected personnel and are going to infect the family too. They’ve even reported how the families refuse them even a glass of water worrying that their touch to the glass might be the reason for infection spread. 

 A woman from the team said, “We are moving around to help the doctors and other frontline workers and lower their workload with the bare minimum PPE. We are at the highest risk, we don’t mind working, of course, we would help that is why we have registered and volunteered but Rs.1000/- is all we get, how am I supposed to carry out the expenses for a family with 4 members with just this much amount?”

Given that these women are fighters who not only are in the war for survival, but also living upto the stigma of it, here’s how we can reduce their stresses and concerns.

1) Be polite and express your thanks for their work and efforts, the next time they come to your house for fixing an electricity complain, educate you about COVID, or test you for the same. 

2) Offer help if your neighbour is a woman out in the field doing her job with simple things like groceries or looking out for her kids.

3)Spread the word around for strong women like Sushma so that they get their due. Social media can be a strong influencer in this.