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Gender-Based Violence Risk Mitigation by Non-GBV Specialists Prior to and during COVID-19: A Global Survey of Knowledge, Attitudes and Practices of Humanitarian Practitioners

Author

Listed:
  • Vandana Sharma

    (Department of Global Health and Population, Harvard T.H. Chan School of Public Health, Boston, MA 02115, USA
    Harvard Humanitarian Initiative, Cambridge, MA 02138, USA)

  • Annika Gompers

    (Department of Obstetrics and Gynecology, Beth Israel Deaconess Medical Center, Boston, MA 02215, USA)

  • Jocelyn T. D. Kelly

    (Harvard Humanitarian Initiative, Cambridge, MA 02138, USA
    Department of Emergency Medicine, Brigham and Women’s Hospital, Boston, MA 02115, USA)

  • Erin Patrick

    (CARE, New York, NY 10017, USA)

  • Christine Heckman

    (United Nations Children’s Fund, New York, NY 10038, USA)

  • Arsema Solomon

    (Department of Obstetrics and Gynecology, Beth Israel Deaconess Medical Center, Boston, MA 02215, USA)

  • Jennifer Scott

    (Department of Obstetrics and Gynecology, Beth Israel Deaconess Medical Center, Boston, MA 02215, USA
    Department of Obstetrics, Gynecology, and Reproductive Biology, Harvard Medical School, Boston, MA 02115, USA)

Abstract

Available evidence indicates that the COVID-19 pandemic and response measures may lead to increased risk of gender-based violence (GBV), including in humanitarian contexts. This study examined the knowledge, attitudes, and practices of humanitarian practitioners related to GBV risk mitigation approaches during COVID-19 in order to refine current guidance and inform future materials. A global, online cross-sectional survey of humanitarian practitioners was conducted between November 2020 and April 2021. We calculated descriptive statistics and used Chi-square or Fisher’s exact tests to compare knowledge, attitudes, and practices among GBV specialists and non-specialists. Of 170 respondents, 58% were female and 44% were GBV specialists. Almost all (95%) of the respondents agreed or strongly agreed that they have a role to play in GBV risk mitigation. Compared to GBV specialists, a higher proportion of non-specialists reported little to no knowledge on GBV risk mitigation global guidance (38% vs. 7%, p < 0.001) and on how to respond to a disclosure of GBV (18% vs. 3%, p < 0.001). Respondents reported several barriers to integrating GBV risk mitigation into their work during COVID-19, including insufficient funding, capacity, knowledge, and guidance. Efforts to mainstream GBV risk mitigation actions should continue and intensify, leveraging the lessons and experiences generated thus far.

Suggested Citation

  • Vandana Sharma & Annika Gompers & Jocelyn T. D. Kelly & Erin Patrick & Christine Heckman & Arsema Solomon & Jennifer Scott, 2021. "Gender-Based Violence Risk Mitigation by Non-GBV Specialists Prior to and during COVID-19: A Global Survey of Knowledge, Attitudes and Practices of Humanitarian Practitioners," IJERPH, MDPI, vol. 18(24), pages 1-22, December.
    • Handle: RePEc:gam:jijerp:v:18:y:2021:i:24:p:13387-:d:706223
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    References listed on IDEAS

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    1. Amber Peterman & Alina Potts & Megan O'Donnell & Kelly Thompson & Niyati Shah & Sabine Oertelt-Prigione & Nicole van Gelder, 2020. "Pandemics and Violence Against Women and Children," Working Papers 528, Center for Global Development.
    2. Karen M Devries & Joelle Y Mak & Loraine J Bacchus & Jennifer C Child & Gail Falder & Max Petzold & Jill Astbury & Charlotte H Watts, 2013. "Intimate Partner Violence and Incident Depressive Symptoms and Suicide Attempts: A Systematic Review of Longitudinal Studies," PLOS Medicine, Public Library of Science, vol. 10(5), pages 1-11, May.
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    1. Luissa Vahedi & Ilana Seff & Deidi Olaya Rodriguez & Samantha McNelly & Ana Isabel Interiano Perez & Dorcas Erskine & Catherine Poulton & Lindsay Stark, 2022. "“ At the Root of COVID Grew a More Complicated Situation ”: A Qualitative Analysis of the Guatemalan Gender-Based Violence Prevention and Response System during the COVID-19 Pandemic," IJERPH, MDPI, vol. 19(17), pages 1-15, September.

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