The president was speaking at the United Nations' Every Woman Every Child (EWEC) round table initiative.

"If something positive can stem from this pandemic at all, it is the wider acceptance of the importance of global communal goods – fighting climate change, providing healthcare and supporting the weakest in society, children, adolescents, and women," said Kaljulaid.

I`m working to protect the health and well-being of women, children and adolescents who are in increased danger of domestic violence since the outbreak of #COVID19. I call you to do the same @HelenClarkNZ @PresidencyGR @katrinjak #RiseForAll @UN_EWEC pic.twitter.com/TxnICOkQQc

— Kersti Kaljulaid (@KerstiKaljulaid) May 28, 2020

She stressed, that around the globe life is not the same for everyone and we may be able to see this better because of the pandemic: "Globally there are still more people living outside our bubble created by science, economic wellbeing and education. COVID19 only allows us to glimpse the nightmare that is the way of life for many, where vaccines and medical care are missing and violence is a part of daily life. This virus has shown, that we are not safe unless everyone is safe."

Kaljualid also raised the issue of the most vulnerable yesterday at the high-level United Nations Security Council discussion on the protection of civilians, saying that the pandemic clearly poses a new layer of threat to international peace and security, and to women, children and families caught in war, conflict and crisis.

There are also signs of trying to use the pandemic as a reason or simply as a cover for stopping even the current level of humanitarian aid reaching the people in need. 

Thank you, @antonioguterres, @PMaurerICRC, @MaEllenSirleaf. My statement at the #UNSC in full: https://t.co/XTuiaB9qfB pic.twitter.com/GT9E26mVc6

— Kersti Kaljulaid (@KerstiKaljulaid) May 27, 2020

Kaljulaid, who is the co-chair of the EWEC movement, hoped that sharing grassroots level practices from around the world helps also to build new compassion, by informing those who have never thought too much about how hard life can be: "It might inspire action, it might inspire new resources, it might inspire new technologies even to protect, provide and simply help to survive."

Women leaders from countries ranging from Estonia, Canada, Senegal and Costa Rica, together with representatives from the private sector and civil society, convened to take action to protect some of the most vulnerable communities around the world in the context of COVID-19 and highlight the unique role of women and adolescents in responding to the pandemic.

The roundtable event was organized by Every Woman Every Child (EWEC) alongside The Partnership for Maternal, Newborn & Child Health (PMNCH) and Women Deliver.

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