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Shadow pan­demic in the wake of COVID-19

Gender-based violence against women and girls in all their diversity and "harmful practices" increased significantly in the wake of the COVID-19 pandemic. 

Pandemic-related school closures and curfews, among other things, meant that girls and women spent more time at home, which increased the risk of domestic violence. Restrictions on freedom of movement made it more difficult for women to go to a safe place in case of a threat. In addition, prevention and support programmes were reduced or suspended in many places.

Globally, violence against women is therefore referred to as the "shadow pandemic" of COVID-19. 

Im­pact of COVID-19 on vi­ol­ence against wo­men and girls:

  •  The United Nations Population Fund (UNFPA) estimates that a six-month lockdown could result in 31 million additional cases of gender-based violence (GBV) worldwide, with 15 million cases of GBV for every 3 months the lockdown continues.x
  • Some countries have seen a 30% increase in domestic violence cases.x
  • UNFPA forecasts that there will be 13 million additional child marriages worldwide taking place between 2020 and 2030 that could otherwise have been averted.x
  • There will also be an estimated two million additional cases of Female Genital Mutilation (FGM) over the next decade due to the disruption of prevention programmes.x

Bulid­ing Back Bet­ter

What can be done?

Considering the strong, gender-specific impact of the pandemic, it is essential that response plans to the COVID-19 pandemic specifically address the experiences and needs of women. Violence against women and girls plays a central role here.

UN Women and UNDP's COVID-19 Global Gender Response Tracker demonstrates that engagement is heading in the right direction: most gender-sensitive interventions are aimed at tackling violence against women and girls (64%).x These interventions should address all forms of violence (including digital violence) and be adequately funded to make a lasting difference.

 

 

New study takes an in­ter­sec­tional look at the im­pact of Covid-19 on gender equity

(opens in a new window)

A new study highlights how women and girls in all their diversity are particularly affected by the social, health, and economic impacts of the Covid-19 pandemic. It provides concrete steps for action on how to embed intersectional approaches into German development cooperation’s work on gender equality and Covid-19 recovery.

Footnotes

  1. Source: UNFPA (2020): New UNFPA projections predict calamitous impact on women’s health as COVID-19 pandemic continues.
  2. Source: UN (2020): The Sustainable Development Goals Report 2020.
  3. Source: UNFPA (2020): New UNFPA projections predict calamitous impact on women’s health as COVID-19 pandemic continues.
  4. Source: UNFPA (2020): New UNFPA projections predict calamitous impact on women’s health as COVID-19 pandemic continues.
  5. Source: UNDP and UN Women: COVID-19 Global Gender Response Tracker.
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