The effect of Violence on Women and Girls during COVID-19 pandemic

16 Days of Activism against Gender-Based Violence (Preventing Violence Against Women in the context of COVID Pandemic) Background In solidarity with women worldwide, Generation Initiative for Women and Youth Network (GIWYN) joins in commemoration of ‘16 days of activism: the International Day for the Elimination of Violence against Women’’ Campaign with the global theme : Orange the World: Fund, Respond, Prevent, Collect!".

Responding and preventing violence in Nigeria will ensure women’s freedom, choices, and dignity. Prior to the impact of the COVID-19 pandemic in Nigeria, there has been a compounded already

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inequality which is the status quo for violence against women and girls. Strategies to control the pandemic forced women and girls to adapt to the government policy of shelter-in-place. The abrupt adjustments exposed women and girls to Sexual and Intmate Partners Violence with limited or no support at all. This is of a special concern.

The effect of Violence on Women and Girls during COVID-19 pandemic

I want Justice! I want Justice!

Was the voice of ‘Miriam’ a fourteen-year-old girl who was violated by her aunt’s husband within the COVID 19 Pandemic period Miriam is one out of the four girls and women that faced violence including rape which at times lead to unsafe abortion. The high prevalence of rape and other forms of violence within and beyond COVID 19 Pandemic is unacceptable and must stop

At Generation Initiative for Women and Youth Network (GIWYN) -- responding to and supporting women who have faced these injustices is our raison d’etre. GIWYN’s work explicitly provides women and girl survivors of sexual violence with the needed resources for physical and psychological well-being, including reproductive health care services, nutrition, education, and options to prevent unwanted pregnancy and means of livelihood. During

lockdown we handled more hotline calls and saw more violent cases . Out of three thousand three hundred and thirty five( 3035 )women who called the hotline, 75% shared some experience of violence , including: marital rape, sexual assault, lack of money for essentials, lack of privacy, threats of harassment from police and hoodlums. Sexual and Intimate Partners Violence (SIPV) remain a major global public health and women’s health threat during the current COVID 19 Pandemic. GBV increased during the pandemic as women and girls in general including those with disabilities, domestic workers, women survivors of sexual violence and sex workers, are particularly most vulnerable,

For 7 years, GIWYN has established and operated a reproductive health hotline (Ms Rosy) in Nigeria with an indicator of Gender Based Violence.

Data gathered from the Hotline, reported tripled gender based violence cases from 765 per month in March 2020 to 2,265 per month April 2020 within the lockdown period .GIWYN’s analysis shows that COVID-19 affected women and girls’ education, food security. nutrition, health, livelihoods, and protection within and beyond COVID -19 Pandemic The High Prevalence of Rape and other forms of gender-based violence within and beyond COVID 19 Pandemic is unacceptable. GIWYN has expanded its priorities to accommodate the COVID-19 challenges of GBV and trained staff in support and referrals. GIWYN offers free counselling and information to women and girls; follow-up with pharmacies and health centres; offer food and money, temporary shelter as permitted, and legal support where necessary. Provide face masks and sanitizers for those without funds as well as provide selfcare.

GIWYN and Partners organizations working at the fore front of the pandemic and are in close contact with women, girls’ survivors and their families. GIWYN and partners, ensures • Ensure women and girls in your community know where to access help and services by using social media and newsletters, • Advocate for increased funding to ending violence against women resources, including funding hotlines, • Invest in building capacity for duty bearers to prevent and respond to cyber violence,

#Orangetheworld #16days

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