Side Event CSW 65: Combating violence against women and girls

The majority of victims of gender-based violence (GBV) are women and girls. Despite all efforts, women and girls still experience various forms of violence, including physical, sexual, economic and psychological violence, cyber violence, gender-based harassment and stalking. Additionally, the number of cases of domestic and intimate-partner violence is increasing in many parts of the world because of the COVID-19 pandemic, while other forms of GBV- such as female genital mutilation (FGM) and child, early and forced marriages- are also on the rise. During this “shadow pandemic”, existing support systems are under extraordinary strain. Policy solutions and responses need to be adapted to ensure that they are effective and accessible. 

Under the German Presidency of the Council of the EU in November 2020, Gender Equality Ministers from all over the EU highlighted the importance of adapting violence protection measures that can help to ensure that women have access to support services in times of crisis. In many other parts of the world, governments and civil society organizations have stepped up resources to address the problem of domestic and intimate-partner violence during the pandemic.