As the spread of COVID-19 has forced people indoors, life has become even more dangerous for women experiencing domestic violence, especially for those who are most marginalized. Not only are women experiencing this violence, but many children, who are also home from school, are witnessing and potentially experiencing domestic violence themselves. According to the UNFPA, six months of lockdowns could result in an additional 31 million cases of gender-based violence. The Metro Manila RGA COVID-19 findings (Sep 2020) also reported the following:
- There is an exponential increase in GBV risk and incidence due to COVID-19 and its interventions; a “shadow pandemic” that is severely underreported
- PNP data reported (15 March to 02 April): 391 cases of VAWC, 42 cases of rape
- There is disruption of services for VAWC survivors due to overburdened offices/facilities during COVID-19
As such, coming together to support women in this crisis is critical.
This month’s webinar is in line with CARE’s global anti-GBV campaign Together for Her, a call to action to stand in solidarity with women and girls around the world by supporting the global response against domestic violence during the time of COVID-19.
The project endeavors to address COVID-19’s “shadow pandemic” of gender-based violence in vulnerable communities in the Philippines. It will:
- Lessen GBV risk in households and provide social safety nets if women are GBV survivors through multi-purpose cash assistance;
- Raise awareness and strengthen local capacity to establish GBV referral pathways and community-based GBV monitoring; and
- Advocate for GBV services as essential, life-saving interventions in COVID-19 response on the local and national level.
In the Philippines, the Together for Her anti-GBV campaign is implemented by CARE and local partner ACCORD in Partners for Resilience communities in Malabon, Navotas, and Caloocan and with Pambansang Koalisyon ng Kababaihan sa Kanayunan (PKKK) in Salcedo, Eastern Samar, Basey, Western Samar, and Sta. Catalina, Negros Oriental.
This pamphlet was used to disseminate information and highlight the necessary information for communities and stakeholders to progress the prevention of Gender-Based Violence, particularly in the barangay level.