The COVID-19 pandemic has unmasked underlying inequities. Measures such as lockdown and physical distancing have confined many people to isolated, unsafe places that may increase risk of gender-based violence (GBV). If lockdowns or restricted movement continue for just a year, it is estimated there will be 61 million more cases of GBV than what would have already been expected.1 In response to this increase, UN Women launched the Shadow Pandemic public awareness campaign in May, 2020.2 Meanwhile, the UN Secretary-General has called for countries to include GBV prevention as a component of COVID-19 recovery plans…

Rollston R, Wilkinson E, Abouelazm R, Mladenov P, Horanieh N, Jabbarpour Y. Comprehensive sexuality education to address gender-based violence. The Lancet. June 2020. doi:10.1016/s0140-6736(20)31477-x