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This special issue of Southasiadisasters.net is titled ‘Agriculture, Gender and COVID-19: Impact and Recovery’ and highlights how the food and livelihood security of women (especially those engaged in agriculture and allied livelihoods) have been affected by the pandemic.

his issue draws principally from the research project between IFPRI and Self-Employed Women’s Association (SEWA) in India, wherein a detailed phone surveys were conducted with women from seven districts of Gujarat to understand the extent of the adverse impact of the pandemic on their lives. Evidence that has emerged from the field suggests not only are women’s food and livelihood security being affected by the pandemic, their vulnerability to mental health problems and gender-based violence has also increased. The insights highlighted in this issue can help decision makers to mitigate some of the negative impacts of the pandemic on women by designing and implementing appropriate policies and programs.