Since the onset of the COVID-19 pandemic and associated worldwide economic decline, East and Southern Africa (ESA) has suffered job losses and an increase in poverty, interruptions in healthcare services, and declined nutrition levels. Young adults whose place in the labor market is often informal, temporary, and tenuous at best have suffered greater job and income losses than their parents. As part of ensuring that recovery efforts also reduce the number of youth, young women, not in employment, education, or training (NEET), UN Women in ESA commissioned a quantitative study on the NEET status of youth aged 15-24 years in nine countries in the region. This report summarizes country findings and provides detailed analysis of available NEET data for youth aged 15-24 years with a view to supporting evidence-based policy advocacy and action in this area. This study covers Botswana, Ethiopia, Kenya, Malawi, Mozambique, Namibia, Rwanda, South Africa, and Uganda.

UN Women amplified women’s role in the COVID-19 response highlighting the significant leadership roles women played in leading the response efforts in materials on COVID-19 prevention disseminated in local languages and hand washing facilities were constructed in 6 elementary schools. 528 returnee migrant women workers from the Middle East and domestic workers across Addis Ababa have been provided with basic sanitation and hygiene training and raising awareness on the disproportionate impact of COVID-19 on women, girls, and vulnerable and marginalized groups.

The review indicated that Ethiopia has not only ratified many of the conventions and treaties related to refugees and asylum seekers, but also formalized these laws into its Constitution and in the national Refugee Proclamation. However, a closer analysis of the health sector focusing on sexual, reproductive, maternal, newborn, child and adolescent health (SRMNCAH) services to women and girls in the humanitarian settings, the laws, policies, strategies, guidelines, programs, and plans of the sector indicated a clear gap.

The UN Women Tanzania study involved desk review, key informant interviews with the government and CSOs, an analysis of the literature of relevant laws and policies on customary practices as well as a review of land governance and land administration practices in Tanzania was done in August 2017. The study also highlights recommendations to advance women's land rights and tenure security in the context of SDGs.