The Pacific Girl webinar on adolescent girls and COVID-19, coincided with the International Day of the Girl Child on October 11. It explored the impacts of the pandemic on adolescent girls in the region and the importance of listening to girls and young women in order to develop effective COVID-19 responses. The webinar amplified the concerns of young women and girls, and those working to support them, while discussing ways to support girls’ increased involvement in response and recovery. Issues discussed included disruption to education and schooling, access to menstrual hygiene products and sexual health services, feelings of isolation, increased anxiety and loneliness, an increased burden of domestic work and care responsibilities, and feeling unsafe at home. Along with their communities, Pacific Island adolescent girls have were affected by food shortages and loss of income when jobs in the family were lost.
