COVID-19’s social, economic, and health impacts have disrupted nearly every aspect of life for people around the world. Evidence shows that disease outbreak affects women and men differently and that pandemics exacerbate gender inequalities for girls and women. Not only are girls and women often the hardest hit, but we know that girls and women play an outsized role responding to crises, including as frontline healthcare and social workers, caregivers at home, and mobilizers in their communities.

Despite facing unique and unprecedented challenges, including skyrocketing unemployment, constraints in educational opportunities, and barriers to their health and rights, young people are leading the way in response and recovery efforts while ensuring girls and women are not left behind.

In the face of these dire struggles, we have 300 new reasons for hope. In June, Women Deliver announced the new class of Young Leaders: advocates from around the world who are shaping a gender-equal world. The interactive map below provides a glimpse into the efforts of just some of the many Women Deliver Young Leaders who are applying a gender lens to address COVID-19 in their communities and countries — and demonstrates that a partnership with young people will be essential for us to build a healthier, more equitable future.