PHYU PHYU OO AND SARA E DAVIES |

The World Health Organization (WHO) estimates that nearly 1 in 3 women aged 15 and older have been subjected at least once in their lifetime to physical or sexual violence from a current or former intimate partner, a non-partner, or both. However, access to services and supports for survivors of sexual and gender-based violence (SGBV) is becoming more constrained in a growing number of situations across the world. Recent coups and ongoing conflicts, high levels of displacement, political oppression—including internet disruption and other tactics of regime control—and the destruction of state institutions, combined with restrictions on movement and the interruption of services due to COVID-19, are taking a toll on the ability of local communities and civil society organizations to respond to SGBV. Like conflict, COVID-19 has also been shown to have an exacerbating effect on gender-based violence.

Please click here to read the full “Delivering services to respond to sexual and gender-based violence in fragile contexts” article published at IPI Global Observatory, written by Griffith Asia Institute members, Phyu Phyu Oo and Sara E Davies.