INTRODUCTION
In 2019, a new virus called coronavirus appeared in Wuhan, China. It caused a sickness called COVID-19, which made people cough, have fevers, and struggle to breathe. In just four months, it spread worldwide, becoming a pandemic that affected almost every country.
Gender-based violence is when someone hurts another person because of their gender, or when one gender suffers more violence. This violence can be physical, sexual, mental, or economic, and it harms women and girls the most, but men and boys can also be victims.
EFFECTS OF COVID 19 ON GBV
During crises like the COVID-19 pandemic, violence against women and girls often increases. With lockdowns and stay-at-home orders, many women and girls were stuck with their abusers, leading to more domestic violence. Also, services that help survivors of violence, like counseling and medical care, were stretched thin because of the focus on fighting COVID-19.
The pandemic also hurt the economy, causing many people, especially those who work for themselves, to lose their jobs. This added stress and financial pressure, mostly on men who are often seen as the breadwinners, which sometimes resulted in more violence.
Closing schools also made things harder, especially for poor girls. They faced more risks of being forced into marriage, abused, or becoming pregnant. When crises disrupt education, girls often suffer more than boys, and they might never return to school.
RECOMMENDATIONS
By doing the following, we can make sure that even during crises like the COVID-19 pandemic, women and girls are safe and supported.
- Create or strengthen safe places for survivors of gender-based violence.
- Teach authorities about the dangers of gender-based violence during crises and how to stop it.
- Make special police units to deal with gender-based violence, especially during emergencies.
- Offer counseling online for women who suffer violence.
- Set up hotlines for reporting domestic violence, and make sure they work well for everyone who needs help.
- Teach girls and women to speak up and report violence against them.
CONCLUSION
Gender-based violence and the COVID-19 pandemic have a strong linkage. It is not a myth that gender-based violence, sexual exploitation, and abuse increase in times of crisis and fragility. Humanitarian and health crises disproportionately impact women and girls. Data gathered on gender-based violence and COVID-19 show a sharp increase in violence against women and girls. Globally, there was over 30% increase in reported cases of gender-based violence.
