Domestic violence, homeschooling and unemployment: the impact of COVID-19 has hit women hard all over the world. To celebrate International Women’s Day we’ve highlighted some of the women who’ve risen to the challenge with life-saving initiatives, clever campaigns and scientific breakthroughs.

As Professor of Vaccinology at the University of Oxford, Sarah co-developed the COVID-19 Oxford/AstraZeneca vaccine which was approved for use in the UK in December, saving thousands of lives and providing a much-needed light at the end of the tunnel. A recent study showed it offers 82 per cent protection against COVID-19 after the second dose and 100 per cent protection against severe disease, hospitalisation and death.

COVID-19 has exacerbated the gender gap, with double the number of women aged 25-34 being made redundant than men, and women bearing the brunt of extra childcare, domestic labour and home-schooling. With a staggering 71 per cent of mothers having had their request for furlough refused, Anna Whitehouse has been a vocal campaigner during the pandemic, lobbying the Government to give all parents/carers the right to ask for furlough to help ease the work/childcare juggle during lockdown and beyond. This follows her five-year campaign using the hashtag #FlexAppeal encouraging all employers to embrace flexible working.

The terrifying escalation of domestic violence during the COVID crisis has been described as ‘The Shadow Pandemic’ by UN Women. Since the COVID-19 outbreak, reports from those on the frontline have shown that all types of violence against women and girls have increased, especially domestic violence. In response, Claire Barnett, Executive Director of UN Women UK, launched the Everyday Allyship Platform which provides information on the critical frontline services women can access if urgent support is needed, whether feeling unsafe at home or struggling with mental health.

The Black Lives Matter movement was founded back in 2013 by three amazing women, Alicia Garza, Patrisse Cullors and Opal Tometi but following the unlawful killing of George Floyd, their campaign exploded, winning global support. The BLM protests are thought to be the largest in US history, with around 26 million Americans taking part – joined by supporters across the world. ‘Black people alongside our allies stood up to change the course of history and we won,’ says Alicia Garza (pictured, above).

Mental health campaigner Bryony Gordon brought hope and inspiration to millions of people battling mental health issues during the pandemic, through her frank social media posts and the timely publication of her new practical guide, ‘No Such Thing As Normal: What My Mental Illness Has Taught Me About Mental Wellness’.

The Centre For Mental Health predicts up to 10 million people (almost 20 per cent of the population) with need new or additional mental health support as a direct result of the COVID crisis, making it all the more important that we have people like Bryony out there breaking taboos.

In a bid to tackle period poverty, which has heightened during the pandemic, Labour MSP Monica Lennon pushed landmark legislation through Scottish parliament to make period products freely available to all. This landmark ruling has made Scotland the first country in the world to make it a legal requirement for sanitary products to be provided free of charge to anyone who needs them. As a result, schools, colleges and universities must make a range of products available in their toilets and the Scottish government has the power to make other public bodies provide free period products.

‘Periods don't stop for pandemics and the work to improve access to essential tampons, pads and reusables has never been more important,’ she said.