Violence Against Women During the COVID-19 Pandemic: An Integrative Review

Overview

Journal Int J Gynaecol Obstet

Publisher Wiley

Specialty Gynecology & Obstetrics

Date 2020 Sep 4

PMID 32880941

Citations 78

Authors

Odette R Sanchez

Diama B Vale

Larissa Rodrigues

Fernanda G Surita

Affiliations

Soon will be listed here.

Abstract

Background: During the COVID-19 pandemic, incipient data have revealed an increase in violence against women (VAW).

Objective: To analyze the existing scientific literature on strategies and recommendations to respond to VAW during the implementation of social distancing measures in response to the COVID-19 pandemic.

Search Strategy: An integrative review was conducted based on articles published between December 2019 and June 2020. Suitable articles were identified from the PubMed, SciELO, and LILACS databases, using relevant terms.

Selection Criteria: Eligible studies included opinion and primary research articles describing the dynamics of VAW during quarantine and in the context of the restrictive measures taken during the COVID-19 pandemic and proposing recommendations to respond to this issue.

Data Collection And Analysis: Data were extracted from eligible publications and qualitative synthesis was used.

Main Results: The 38 articles included in the study showed that some factors increasing women's vulnerabilities to violence were exacerbated during the social distancing and lockdown period. Health professionals are essential for screening and responding to VAW during the pandemic.

Conclusions: Strategies must include integrated actions aiming to prevent and respond to violence during and after the COVID-19 pandemic. These must be designed based on lessons learned from previous public health emergencies.

Citing Articles

Exploring the impact of COVID-19 hard lockdown on service provision for survivors of violence against women in South Africa: a qualitative study.

Colombini M, Shai N, Mahlangu P BMJ Open. 2025; 15(2):e095058.

PMID: 40021196 PMC: 11873325. DOI: 10.1136/bmjopen-2024-095058.

What research evidence is required on violence against women to inform future pandemic preparedness? A scoping review of the research evidence and gaps.

Brennan-Wilson A, Ain Q, Ozkaya C, Amin A, Garcia-Moreno C, Thurston A BMJ Glob Health. 2024; 9(12).

PMID: 39663125 PMC: 11647320. DOI: 10.1136/bmjgh-2024-015877.

Global and Regional Prevalence of Domestic Violence During the COVID-19 Pandemic and Its Determinants: Protocol for a Systematic Review and Meta-Analysis.

Bidhendi-Yarandi R, Biglarian A, Nosrati Nejad F, Roshanfekr P, Behboudi-Gandevani S JMIR Res Protoc. 2024; 13():e60963.

PMID: 39652848 PMC: 11667129. DOI: 10.2196/60963.

Lessons Learned from the Experiences of Domestic Violence Service Providers in Times of Crisis: Insights from a Central Asian Country.

Karabay A, Akhmetova S, Durrani N Int J Environ Res Public Health. 2024; 21(10).

PMID: 39457299 PMC: 11507437. DOI: 10.3390/ijerph21101326.

Data Improvement: A Strategy to Improve Understanding of Violence Against Transgender Populations.

Fletcher S, Todd K Public Health Rep. 2024; :333549241291711.

PMID: 39454038 PMC: 11556554. DOI: 10.1177/00333549241291711.

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