United Nations Population Fund

News on Gender-based violence

1 July 2020
News
An embroidered fabric shows a drum accompanied with the text, "beat drums, not women."
Safety elusive for women in South Sudan’s protection sites amid pandemic
BENTIU, South Sudan – Since the COVID-19 pandemic arrived in South Sudan in April, more than 2,000 cases of the illness have been recorded. Tensions are rising within families and communities, leaving women and girls... Read more
30 June 2020
News
Illustration shows a woman with a rose over her mouth against a red background. There is a hand showing the words stop, danger, child, innocent and other terms.
Five things you didn’t know about practices that harm girls
UNITED NATIONS, New York – Every day, hundreds of thousands of girls around the world are harmed physically or psychologically, with the full knowledge and consent of their families, friends and communities. And without... Read more
2 June 2020
News
Maysah Shalaldeh, a social worker, provides counselling over the phone. Maysah Shalaldeh, a social worker
Demand for counselling services spikes in Palestine amid COVID-19 lockdown
GAZA STRIP, Palestine – “Sometimes I feel that this is a nightmare that I will eventually wake up from, but the nightmare is never-ending and I do not know how much longer I can handle this,” T.C.* told UNFPA.   She is... Read more
21 May 2020
News
A counsellor delivers services via online platform. Image courtesy of Ternovyy Viktor
Silent solutions available to quarantined survivors of domestic violence
KYIV, Ukraine – Oleksandra’s* ex-husband was waging a quiet war against her, she says, one that escalated under quarantine. She lives in the same apartment as her ex-husband and their two children. Sharing that space... Read more
19 May 2020
News
A woman at a safe space in Raymah sews face masks for her community. © RHDH/UNFPA
With Yemen’s health system approaching a breaking point, displaced women sew face masks to protect community
SANA’A, Yemen – With more than 130 confirmed cases  of COVID-19, Yemen is struggling to keep the full impact of the pandemic at bay, even as funds for life-sustaining health services are running out. The country's... Read more
12 May 2020
News
UNFPA is working with authorities in Pakistan to upgrade an app that provides emergency assistance to people at risk of violence, including women with disabilities. © UNFPA Pakistan
Pandemic heightens vulnerabilities of persons with disabilities
UNITED NATIONS, New York/FRANCISTOWN, Botswana, RAWALPINDI, Pakistan – Even under normal circumstances, persons with disabilities face discrimination, high rates of gender-based violence, and exclusion from services and... Read more
16 April 2020
News
Outreach workers in Syria are raising awareness about the pandemic. © UNFPA Syria
Pandemic threatens communities ravaged by war and crisis, global support needed
AZRAQ CAMP, Jordan/HOMS, Syria/UNITED NATIONS, New York – “I invested the first four days of the lockdown calling beneficiaries to inform them of the availability of virtual support,” Orouba Amin, a counsellor in the... Read more
15 April 2020
News
Calls to the National Hotline on Combatting Domestic Violence increased by more than 25 per cent in the first two weeks of quarantine. © La Strada Ukraine
When quarantine is unsafe: Domestic violence survivors seek help in Ukraine
KYIV, Ukraine – One by one, countries facing lockdowns and movement restrictions due to the COVID-19 pandemic are reporting alarming increases in domestic abuse. For too many women, safety from the virus is not safety... Read more
3 April 2020
News
UNFPA and partners are delivering essential items to women's shelters in Kosovo. © UNFPA Kosovo/Besnik Sherifi
Gender-based violence spikes amid pandemic, shelters need support
KOSOVO – As the COVID-19 pandemic rages around the world, women and girls are more vulnerable to abuse than ever. In Kosovo, the Ministry of Justice has seen a 17 per cent increase in reported cases of gender-based... Read more
1 April 2020
News
Yveka, 17, visits a UNFPA mobile clinic in Haiti. Haiti's former Minister of Women, Dr. Lise Marie Dejean, says many women lack autonomy over their bodies and health. © UNFPA
Staggering numbers of women unable to exercise decision-making over their own bodies, new UNFPA report shows
UNITED NATIONS, New York/BAMAKO, Mali/PORT-AU-PRINCE, Haiti – Out of nine pregnancies, Kadiatou experienced five tragic stillbirths, all at her home in rural Mali. Each time, she gave birth without the assistance of a... Read more

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