Gender equality in conflict-affected areas – a call for businesses to take action Format In March the world celebrated the International Women’s Day, calling for a more equal future and recognizing the contributions women are making around the world. To truly “leave no one behind”, it is important to recognize the realities women face around the world and how COVID-19 has affected them – including in conflict-affected areas. Gender inequalities from violence and discrimination to the gender pay gap and under-representation in decision-making are pervasive across all countries. However, research has shown a strong correlation between gender inequality and conflict risk. So how is this relevant to the private sector? Even in the most adverse of circumstances, there is always something the private sector can do to respect and advance the diverse issues related to gender. Here are some ideas on how to get started.