Mitigating gender-based violence risk in the context of COVID-19: lessons from humanitarian crises

Abstract

### Summary box 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 …