UN Women Ending Violence Against Women (EVAW) COVID-19 Briefs

This is a living document that summarizes principles and recommendations to those planning to embark on data collection on the impact of COVID-19 (coronavirus) on violence against women and girls (VAWG). It was informed by the needs and challenges identified by colleagues in regional and country offices and has benefited from their input. It responds to the difficulties of adhering to methodological, ethical and safety principles in the context of the physical distancing and staying at home measures imposed in many countries.

This brief provides background information on the root causes and risk factors that explain why violence against women occurs in the first place. It highlights how the context of COVID-19 (coronavirus) is exacerbating those factors and the impact it is having on rates of violence against women and the ability to undertake evidence-based prevention work in the current context. It outlines the guiding principles for prevention activities and provides indicative interventions that can be undertaken during social distancing. The brief draws from the prevention field and evidence-based frameworks. It is a living document that will benefit from the vast and evolving knowledge of a wide range of experts who are supporting solutions to end violence against women and girls across countries and contexts.

The brief highlights emerging trends and implications for women and girls’ safety in cities and public spaces, recognizing the continuum of violence against women and girls in private and public spaces throughout different phases of the pandemic. It provides examples of concrete action taken at the local level in partnership with governments, grassroots women and women’s rights organizations, the private sector and other partners, including from cities participating in the UN Safe Cities and Safe Public Spaces Global Flagship Initiative, and in particular from cities where the disease is widespread. The brief includes recommendations to be considered by governments, international organizations, women’s rights and other civil society organizations. It is a living document that complements other policy briefs prepared by UN Women on COVID-19 (coronavirus) and ending violence against women. It draws upon the knowledge and experience of a wide range of experts who support solutions to end sexual harassment and other forms of violence against women and girls in urban, rural and online settings, attentive to the country context in which the crisis is occurring.

The brief highlights emerging trends and impacts of COVID-19 (coronavirus) on online and ICT facilitated violence against women and girls (VAWG). It provides examples of strategies put in place to prevent and respond to online/ ICT facilitated VAWG and makes recommendations on how different actors can best address this issue. It is a living document that draws upon the knowledge and experience of a wide range of experts who support solutions to end online VAWG and violence facilitated by ICTs.