Global policies to reduce pandemic intensified violence against women

Abstract

Violence against women (VAW) worsened globally during the Covid-19 pandemic lockdowns. For example, a woman in France was killed every 3 days during lockdown. At the same time in South Africa, a woman was killed every 3 h. This paper presents and analyzes the risk factors that have worsened during the Covid-19 pandemic lockdowns and the subsequent economic consequences of mitigation policies. The purpose of this paper is twofold: (a) to conduct a critical review of international extant literature regarding government policies related to VAW since the beginning of the worldwide Covid-19 pandemic lockdowns that began in early 2020, and (b) to suggest opportunities for nurses to influence health policy development and social norms related to VAW. Thematic synthesis of the findings present interventions that helped to mitigate VAW during Covid-19 and is followed by a discussion of findings in relation to social determinants of health and human rights. A gender-based policy approach that focuses on the human right to be free of all forms of violence must be a leading strategy as governments reallocate resources and rebuild economies in the wake of this pandemic.

The Global Landscape of Domestic Violence against Women during the COVID-19 Pandemic: A Narrative Review

“…This had detrimental outcomes for families, with higher rates of conflict, mental instability, and physical harm [ 4 , 5 ]. Amid the overwhelming focus on the COVID-19 crisis, there was a distressing lack of understanding and preparedness among authorities to address domestic violence incidents [ 6 , 7 ]. Tragically, real-life accounts reveal harrowing consequences.…”

“…4,5) Amid the overwhelming focus on the COVID-19 crisis, there was a distressing lack of understanding and preparedness among authorities to address domestic violence incidents. 6,7) Tragically, real-life accounts reveal harrowing consequences. In Uttam Nagar, Delhi, a 28-year-old mother-oftwo endured physical abuse from her husband and his family.…”

Exploring what lies beneath the tip of the gender-based violence iceberg

“…Whatever the reasons for the underreporting of GBV, here our principal concern is quantifying the magnitude of cases of gender violence reported in the primary care system and in attempting to reconstruct the complete GBV iceberg. Reducing GBV is at the top of the policy agenda of many governments and organizations and the analysis of these policies and associated campaigns highlights the complexity of the issue and the data biases that beset any discussion of the problem ([8]). Several authors ([9, 10, 11, 12]) have undertaken studies of the legislation passed and public policies adopted to address GBV.…”

Violence against women and associated factors among female construction workers in Addis Ababa, Ethiopia

“…Although there are some strategies and practical interventions in the global and local context, information regarding GBV against female construction workers in Ethiopia is limited [ 9 , 10 ]. Some existing research was conducted focusing on violence against a female in the health sector setting and, the prevalence varies from workplace to workplace and from occupation to occupation [ 11 ].…”