EDITORIAL

Dr.Rym Fayala,

Head of office UNFPA Tunisia.

Definitely! 2020 is a year that will have marked all minds. Since last December, the whole world has been facing the spread of the Covid-19 pandemic which has exposed structural weaknesses at all levels and socio-economic inequalities. A phenomenon that has demonstrated, once again, the limits of health policies in terms of access to basic health services, in this case Sexual and Reproductive Health services, as well as the vulnerability of women and young girls during periods of crises.

Tunisia has not escaped the pandemic. A first wave hit the country during the first quarter of 2020. To escape catastrophic scenarios, the Tunisian government has implemented drastic prevention measures by imposing total containment of the country for several weeks and the closure of land, sea and air borders. A measure that transitorily succeeded in limiting the spread of the disease at the local level, but had negative consequences on the entire population, in particular the most vulnerable populations with a spectacular upsurge in gender-based violence and major disruption continuity of essential health care.