ABSTRACT
Drawing on the Philippine experience from 2020 to 2021, this research examines the cascading effects of the national COVID-19 pandemic response on pre-existing and less ‘visible’ health issues, such as access to sexual and reproductive health and the well-being of health workers and women's rights service providers. Evidence from an online survey and key-informant interviews is corroborated by analysis of secondary sources, including COVID-19 monitoring reports in the country. Key findings indicate how a narrow understanding of security in times of crisis operates to separate and stratify what are otherwise interrelated health needs. Consequently, the Philippine pandemic response has generated hierarchical rather than holistic solutions with gendered consequences, especially for those belonging to marginalized groups. As this study shows, gaps in pandemic responses can be redressed by countermeasures that reflect the centrality of care for promoting human security and inclusive post-pandemic recovery.
