• COVID-19
• public health

The COVID-19 pandemic is directing much-needed attention to gender-based violence (GBV) worldwide and is particularly shining a light on the hidden epidemic of intimate partner violence (IPV). In recent months, there has been a plethora of high-profile statements calling for measures to address the GBV ‘shadow pandemic’.1 For example, a joint statement by 146 UN member states and observers declared support for the UN Secretary General’s appeal to prioritise prevention and redress of violence against women in national COVID-19 response plans.2 3 This is an important opportunity to translate attention to action.

Much of the advocacy on GBV in the context of COVID-19 has focused on two areas: strengthening response services for GBV survivors and enhancing prevention efforts targeting root causes of violence.1 4 5 However, the third pillar of action for addressing GBV—GBV risk mitigation—is also crucial. GBV risk mitigation interventions aim to reduce exposure to GBV and ensure that humanitarian response actions and services themselves do not cause harm or increase risk of violence.6 This approach also seeks to proactively identify and reduce the risks of violence related to humanitarian programming.6

There is consensus in the humanitarian sector that GBV risk mitigation is a collective responsibility and should be systematically integrated in the design, implementation and evaluation of actions to respond to disasters and emergencies.6 Unfortunately, during the COVID-19 pandemic, this has often been overlooked. Public health measures implemented to curb the spread of the virus have augmented the risk of IPV across the globe.1 7 Stay-at-home orders and quarantine measures have increased GBV survivors’ exposure to violent partners, limited their options for seeking safety and reduced access to and availability of critical GBV, health and psychosocial services. UNFPA estimates that, globally, every 3 months of lockdown contributes an additional 15 million cases of GBV.8

Clear and practical guidance on GBV risk mitigation is available in the humanitarian sphere through the Inter-Agency Standing Committee Guidelines for Integrating Gender-Based Violence Interventions in Humanitarian Action (GBV Guidelines).6 These guidelines provide recommendations across a range of sectors—including education, food security, nutrition and health—on how to analyse and address GBV risks in the design, implementation and evaluation of humanitarian programming. Well-placed lighting, for instance, can help women feel safe while using communal latrines at night thereby increasing access to and use of water, sanitation and hygiene facilities,9 which helps reduce the risk of infectious diseases.10 However, because such lighting can also increase the presence of men and boys in these locations and raise GBV risks, handheld lanterns may sometimes be a better risk mitigation option.9 This illustrates the need for careful consideration of potential unintended consequences of programming and the need for continuous consultation with women and girls. It also highlights how GBV risk mitigation, when properly implemented, can contribute to improved uptake and potential effectiveness of humanitarian interventions.

Good practices, lessons and evidence on GBV risk mitigation generated over the last three decades continue to be valuable tools in the current context. However, COVID-19 brings new challenges. Some effective GBV risk mitigation strategies may require adaptation to the evolving realities on the ground. For example, limitations on gathering sizes may hinder in-person focus group discussions with women and girls; consultations may thus need to be delivered through other modalities. In South Sudan, Action Against Hunger (ACF) is currently conducting consultations in smaller groups while maintaining social distancing. Additionally, good practices such as safety audits, as well as ensuring operational feedback mechanisms and at least one female staff member per nutrition facility continue to be implemented by ACF. GBV risk mitigation guidance tailored to COVID-19 is now available on behalf of the GBV Guidelines Reference Group, but more learning is needed.11

Though additional work is required to fully adapt standard risk mitigation measures from humanitarian response to fit the COVID-19 context, good practices for GBV mitigation in emergencies are also now applicable well beyond ‘traditional’ humanitarian settings as the world grapples with this unprecedented global crisis. It is crucial that first responders, local and national governments, national disaster management agencies and social service providers in COVID-19 affected countries systematically incorporate GBV risk analysis and mitigation strategies into their COVID-19 interventions.

Conducting gender and risk analyses of response efforts is a key first step. Consultations with women and girls and groups at increased risk (eg, persons with disabilities) must be prioritised despite operational challenges in the face of COVID-19 restrictions. Existing guidance can help safely navigate such issues.11 12 In addition, women’s organisations have context-specific expertise and deep understanding of women’s and girls’ specific risks and needs. These organisations should be engaged in a meaningful way at all stages of response efforts. Unintended consequences of COVID-19 response efforts must be considered, measured and addressed to ensure response actions are not causing harm or increasing risk of violence. Finally, GBV has consistently been underfunded, accounting for only 0.12% of humanitarian aid between 2016 and 2017; additional resources are necessary.13 Longer term actions include advancing research on GBV risks and mitigation interventions, assessing their effectiveness and committing to mainstreaming GBV risk mitigation within institutional policies, procedures and programmes.

Integrating GBV risk mitigation into COVID-19 response measures, alongside strengthened GBV prevention and response, is critical to effectively addressing this double pandemic. The global community must back up commitments with investment and action to improve the safety and well-being of women and girls now and in future crises.