The COVID-19 pandemic is largely concentrated in cities and urban areas, with around 2,600 cities globally reporting at least one case of the disease. While the epicentre of the global health crisis is still Europe and North America, its impact on developing countries may be more devastating, especially for the poorest. The 1 billion+ people living in slums and slum-like settings in developing countries, where population density is high, are those most at-risk and least prepared. 

The COVID-19 pandemic presents a global crisis that is exacerbating gender (and other) injustices and increasing violence against women (VAW). Activist organizations have an essential role to play during this tumultuous time. Sustained VAW prevention work remains vital—as does addressing the immediate risks to women posed by lockdowns and other COVID-19 requirements which can exacerbate violence, isolate survivors and limit access to essential services.

Integrating gender into the COVID-19 risk communication and community engagement (RCCE) response demands consideration of how gender norms and roles, as well as inequitable power dynamics and decision-making, influence people’s experiences and needs at all stages.

With 90 countries in lockdown and nearly four billion people sheltering at home from the COVID-19 pandemic, domestic violence has become an epidemic within an epidemic. In response, UN Secretary General Guterres called for a global “ceasefire” on domestic violence, lending high-level support to this long-standing demand.

This note sets out a number of alternative entry points for providing survivors with non-phone, low/ no tech options to alert trustworthy stakeholders of their need for GBV services given the restrictions on movement as a result of COVID-19. It also provides ideas for linking such ‘alert systems’ with remote GBV support providers.

Women, the elderly, adolescents, youth, and children, persons with disabilities, indigenous populations, refugees, migrants, and minorities experience the highest degree of socio-economic marginalization. Marginalized people become even more vulnerable in emergencies.

This document presents an initial summary of potential gender-based violence (GBV) risk mitigation actions, based on established good practice, that are starting points to address GBV risks in this unprecedented situation.  

This resource provides practitioners with key resources to support the integration of GBV risk mitigation into COVID-19 response. It will be frequently updated as the crisis unfolds.