Women-led countries fared better in reducing deaths and number of COVID-19 cases during the first quarter of the pandemic, according to a study by two British researchers. The study by Supriya Garikipati (University of Liverpool) and Uma Khambhampati (University of Reading) titled “Leading the fight against the pandemic: Does gender ‘really’ matter?” the researchers found that COVID- outcomes were much better in women-led countries because of the proactive and coordinated responses led by them.

Using data and insights from 194 countries with just 19 female leaders, the study showed a consistent pattern, confirming that the number of COVID deaths and number of cases was lower in women-led countries than in those led by men. “In almost all cases, they locked down earlier than male leaders in similar circumstances,” the study said.