The case of a pregnant Roma woman illustrates such intersecting vulnerabilities – she was in a high-risk group, since she had been unable to afford prenatal care, yet was reportedly denied urgent treatment when made to wait several hours for the results of a coronavirus test outside of a hospital, allegedly also due to racial discrimination.168 In the United Kingdom, pregnant black, Asian and minority ethnic (BAME) women have been found to have considerably higher rates of COVID-19 infection than non-minority women, due to complex factors, some of which are unrelated to the pandemic and others that may be exacerbated by emergency measures (e.g., their overrepresentation among “essential” workers and tendency to live in crowded conditions).169 Reductions in face-to-face appointments can mean that their specific risk factors are not adequately assessed, thus resulting in the denial of their equal right to access needed health services. Additionally, de-prioritization of “non-essential” health services have had serious consequences for women in certain groups who require regular access to medical services, treatment or therapeutic care, which can include, but are not limited to, women with disabilities,170 women who are living with HIV/AIDS or with chronic illness,171 women in prostitution172 and women with substance addictions.173 Recommended actions to protect women’s rights During emergency preparation, ensure guarantees of the right to safe working conditions and decent work for female frontline healthcare workers. This should include salaries, promotions and time off commensurate with the vital work that they undertake, as well as a consistent supply of protective equipment that is specifically designed for female staff. 168 Lee, J., “9 Month Pregnant Romani Woman Dies after Waiting Six Hours for COVID-19 Test Results to Get Emergency Care”, European Roma Rights Centre website, 6 April 2020, <http://www.errc.org/news/9-month-pregnant-romani-woman-dies-after-waiting-six-hours-for-covid-19-test-results-to-get-emergency-care>. 169 Royal College of Midwives, “Addressing Increased Risks During the COVID-19 Pandemic for BAME Women, Guidance from the Royal College of Midwives”, May 2020, <https://www.rcm.org.uk/media/4063/rcm-addressing-increased-risks-during-the-covid-19-pandemic-for-bame-women-may-2020-1.pdf>. 170 Women Enabled International, “COVID-19 at the Intersection of Gender and Disability: Findings of a Global Human Rights Survey, March to April 2020”, op. cit., note 61. 171 Women with chronic illnesses and HIV in Ukraine reported that they cannot access their regular medical treatment, specialized goods or food and that certain medicines are not available in pharmacies in small towns. UN Women Ukraine, “Rapid Gender Assessment of the Situation and Needs of Women in the Context of Covid-19 in Ukraine”, op. cit., note 84. 172 Call for Action, “COVID-19 Shines a Red Light on Sex Workers’ Lack of Protection – Our Demands Must Be Included”, <http://redlightcovideurope.org>. 173 Studies indicate that women who are injecting drug users, for example, face multiple barriers to accessing treatment programmes, and the lack of female-specific services before the pandemic meant that their complex needs were often unmet. See: Reference Group to the United Nations on HIV and Injecting Drug Use, “Women Who Inject Drugs: A Review of Their Risks, Experiences and Needs”, 2010, <https://www.unodc.org/documents/hiv-aids/ Women_who_inject_drugs.pdf>. The UNODC has called upon governments to ensure the continuity of care for people who use drugs and people with drug use disorders in the context of the COVID-19 pandemic. See: UNODC, “Suggestions about Treatment, Care and Rehabilitation of People with Drug Use Disorder in the Context of the COVID-19 Pandemic”, <https://www.unodc.org/documents/drug-prevention-and-treatment/UN-Covid19infographic-200328-5070.pdf>. 49