An estimated 243 million women and girls around the world have been subjected to sexual and/or physical violence by an intimate partner in the last 12 months. Experts warn that this number is likely to increase dramatically as security, health and money worries heighten stress within homes, and confined living conditions place women at heightened risk.
Today, in the last of our six-week series, COVID and the Issues, we’re talking with Joanna Kretzer Chun, World Relief’s Director of our Program Resource Team who reveals why many are calling the rise in COVID related gender-based violence the “shadow pandemic.”
In the discussion that follows, Joanna explains how World Relief takes a comprehensive approach to preventing gender-based violence. She explains some of the factors that are creating this “shadow pandemic,” and reveals why women at risk of gender-based violence are less likely to get the help they need right now. While there are no simple solutions, it was encouraging to hear Joanna’s thoughts on what we’re learning as an organization and how these learnings can help women both now and in the future.
To learn more about how COVID-19 is affecting other program areas, view the rest of the COVID and the Issues series here.