The unexpected and abrupt nature of COVID-19 has impacted us in ways we couldn’t have imagined. From a well-founded fear of contracting the virus to the serious concern over small businesses staying afloat, there has been an unprecedented shift in the way we interact with others and go about our daily routines.

However, one very significant effect that has not been highlighted enough among the attention-grabbing headlines is the global increase of violence against women and girls due to lockdowns.

Pandemics Increase Gender-Based Violence

The causes of gender-based violence (GBV) are complex and include harmful gender norms, hunger, lack of livelihood opportunities, and impunity for crimes. In a pandemic these contributing factors are exacerbated as security, health, and financial concerns create tensions and are further aggravated by the confined living conditions of lockdown.[1]

In France, domestic violence reports have increased by 30% since the lockdown began on March 17th. Emergency calls in Argentina for domestic violence cases have increased by 25% since their lockdown on March 20th. Increased cases of domestic violence and demand for emergency shelter have been reported among Canada, Spain, Germany, the United Kingdom, and the United States.[1] Statistics in developing countries are often higher.

Pandemics, GBV, and Developing Countries

“At home, we are sometimes sexually harassed by our relatives whom we can never report as they will be our guardians.” Adolescent Girl, Zimbabwe[2]

It is estimated that, worldwide, 30% of ever-partnered women aged 15 years and older have experienced physical and/or sexual intimate partner violence (IPV) in their lifetimes, with regional rates ranging from 16.3% in East Asia to 65.64% in Central sub-Saharan Africa.[3] In developing countries GBV is not limited to IPV. GBV casts a wider net, including early/forced marriage, forced sterilization/pregnancy, intentional HIV transmission, and female genital mutilation (FGM).[4] GBV is often committed not only by spouses, but other household members and relatives, especially in rural areas.

Financial Concerns, Child Marriage and FGM

During the COVID-19 outbreak FGM has increased precipitously in some areas:

“The cutters have been knocking on doors, including mine, asking if there are young girls they can cut. I was so shocked.” Sadia Allin, Plan International’s head of mission in Somalia[5]

COVID-19 school closures leave girls at risk of door-to-door FGM in Somalia. Plan International [6]

According to Plan International, the crisis has severely undermined efforts to eradicate the practice of female genital mutilation in Somalia, which has the world’s highest FGM rate - about 98% of women have experienced FGM.[5, 6] Female genital mutilation is closely liked with child/forced marriage. During pandemics more girls and younger girls are readied for marriage by forced FGM.

In Urban Areas GBV Decreases the Safety of Women Outside the Home

The concern over women’s safety is not limited to their own homes; as the impact of social distancing has virtually cleared out streets and transport except for those performing essential services, the risk for violence against women - such as sexual harassment - is likely to escalate in public spaces.[1]

Take Action Now

We must ask ourselves: what can be done to address this issue, especially considering the enduring presence of COVID-19?

Keeping shelters open.
Support organizations that keep women safe.
Offer helplines or messaging services for victims.
Build capacity of key services.
Utilize data collected in order to understand the impact of COVID-19 on violence against women and girls.[1]

[1] COVID-19 and Ending Violence Against Women and Girls, UNWomen https://www.unhcr.org/4794b3512.pdf

[2] Hear Our Voices, Plan International https://plan-international.org/publications/hear-our-voices

[3] Tip of the Iceberg: Reporting and Gender-Based Violence in Developing Countries, American Journal of Epidemiology https://academic.oup.com/aje/article/179/5/602/143069

[4] Reach Out Refugee Protection Training Project: GBV, UNHCR https://www.unhcr.org/4371faad2.pdf

[5] Somalia sees "massive" rise in FGM during lockdown and Ramadan, Thomson Reuters Foundation https://www.reuters.com/article/somalia-coronavirus-fgm/somalia-sees-massive-rise-in-fgm-during-lockdown-and-ramadan-idUSL8N2D05H2

[6] Girls in Somalia Subjected to Door-to-Door FGM, Plan International https://plan-international.org/news/2020-05-18-girls-somalia-subjected-door-door-fgm

[7] Female genital mutilation (FGM), UNICEF https://data.unicef.org/topic/child-protection/female-genital-mutilation/

COVID-19, Lockdowns, and Gender-Based Violence: Special Challenges in Developing Countries

COVID-19 and a Looming Crisis: Will Girls Return to School Post-Pandemic?

Sewing Masks, Supporting Families