b'Soroptimist InternationalReport for the High-Level Political ForumThe Social Pillar of Sustainable DevelopmentAdjusting Actions to Achieve the Social Pillar of Sustainable DevelopmentOverthelastyearoursocialworldhastotallyoutcomes when living in the community compared transformed. The impacts of COVID-19 have beentobeinginprison, somaintainingtheirabilityto felt across all of society and have impacted all formsaccess community-based services is essential, not ofsociallifewithpeoplerequiredtodrasticallyonly for the women themselves, but also to ensure reduce face-to-face contact. Social isolation, whilepositive outcomes for the justice system. necessary to limit the spread of COVID-19, has had profoundnegativeeffectsonpeopleswellbeing,Women and girls are facing more violence at home, with there being mounting evidence that womenandwithlimitationsplacedoncontactand and girls have been disproportionately affected bymovement,andmanywomenineconomically mentalhealthdifficultiesduringthepandemic.precarioussituations,optionstoescapethis Womenandgirlsfrequentlyholdfrontlineorviolenceareextremelylimited.Forgirls,with essentialjobs,andhavetheadditionalschools closed, those who often could identify and responsibilitiesofchildcare,education,foodinterveneincasesofabuse,violence,child security,andotheraspectsofsupportingamarriage, food insecurity and other challenges are household. Providingfortheneedsofindividualsnow unable to do so. For women who work, if they and families has brought additional difficulties overno longer go to their workplaces signs of violence or thelastyear.Policiesandprogrammesmustabuse can remain hidden and support networks are respondtothisgenderedphenomenon,whenunavailable. Many women face homelessness as an ensuring all have the food security, health services,alternativetolivingwithviolence.Thisis education, and other services and social protectioncompoundedbycutsinfinancingtoservices, floors.TheSoroptimistprojectscontainedinthisfrequently run by CSOs, which provide women and section,demonstratethegapsandchallengesintheir families with alternative accommodation and joining-upapproachesacrossthesedifferentsupport. It is impossible to fully address the impacts sectors and services.ofCOVID-19,withoutaddressingthesegendered experiencesofserviceprovision.Theseservices, Limitations on social contact also drastically affectwhich are experiencing a higher demand than ever serviceprovisionandtheaccessibilityandbefore, must be fully funded and accessiblethey availability of social protection floors. The projectsarenotonlyanessentialsocialprotectionfloor in this section, which includes a segment on health,which can reduce future pressure on state services, reflect the impact that COVID has had on efforts tobuttheyareakeypartofprovidingjusticeto achieve the social pillar of sustainable development.survivors of gender-based violence.Womenofall ages and youth injusticesystems, alreadyoftensociallyisolatedandinneedofAll the projects presented in this section address the additional support, have been further cut-off fromneeds of women and girls who experience particular theirsupportstructuresandcommunities.vulnerabilities which are created and heightened by Technology can provide a vital tool to help minimisetheirgender.Itisvitalthatresponsestothese thisisolationandensurethecontinuationofvulnerabilitiestakeagender-transformative psychosocialservices,butcanalsopresentsnewapproach, to not only respond to and provide for stressorssuchascyberbullying,connectivitythe needs of women and girls, but to also address problems and the ability to own or have access to atheunderlyingcauses ofgenderinequalities. The device.Womenhavebetterrehabilitationsocialpillarofsustainabledevelopmentrequires people-centred, human rights-based actions. 10'