COVID-19 Relief Legislation Includes $10 Million for ‘Gender Programs’ in Pakistan

The recently passed COVID-19 relief bill includes a number of provisions and additions that appear to have little to do with COVID and are raising eyebrows on social media.

Among them are a pair of assistance programs in Pakistan, where $15 million will be put toward “democracy programs” and $10 million will be distributed to “gender programs.”

Some Twitter users were furious about the news to distribute funds for such purposes:

The Covid relief bill also includes $10 million for “gender programs” in Pakistan pic.twitter.com/7kivucCjvY

— Tom Elliott (@tomselliott) December 21, 2020

The COVID relief bill had $10 million for "gender programs" in Pakistan.

— Brigitte Gabriel (@ACTBrigitte) December 22, 2020

The Covid stimulus package includes $10 million for “gender programs” in Pakistan...

$600 for you.

— Jason D. Meister 🇺🇸 (@jason_meister) December 21, 2020

In the Covid "stimulus package" there is:

✅$700 million to Sudan
✅$10 million for "gender programs" in Pakistan
✅$300 million for fisheries
✅$600 to *some* Americans

The Founders would have stormed the chambers of Congress over this monstrosity.

— Young Americans for Liberty (@YALiberty) December 21, 2020

It’s not clear what is meant by “gender programs” in the bill.

Pakistan ranks the second lowest country in the world for gender equality.

The relief legislation was reportedly attached to a broader omnibus spending bill lawmakers were looking to approve to avoid a government shutdown.