Rising Outbreaks, Rising Risks: How COVID‑19 Heightened Violence Against Women and Girls

Recent global health crises, driven by climate change, rapid city growth, and shifting landscapes, have forced governments to take emergency actions that can unintentionally raise the danger of violence toward women and girls. A comprehensive review examined how any outbreak, especially COVID‑19, has changed the frequency of such violence in poorer and middle‑income nations. The evidence shows a clear spike in abuse during the first year of the pandemic compared with before it began. The review identified five key ways that outbreaks can fuel violence. First, when economies shut down, many families lose income and jobs, creating stress that can turn into abuse. Second, travel bans and lockdowns limit people’s ability to leave abusive homes or seek help. Third, reduced access to schools, health clinics, and support services removes safety nets that usually protect vulnerable girls. Fourth, fear of catching the disease can trap victims inside dangerous situations because they worry about contracting illness if they leave. Fifth, past distrust in health systems—built during earlier outbreaks—can make people reluctant to report abuse or seek assistance.Most of the data came from studies on COVID‑19, with only a handful looking at other diseases. Very few studies separated results for women and girls, so the full picture is still unclear. Still, the patterns are consistent: economic hardship, isolation, and weakened services all raise the risk of domestic violence. The findings highlight a gap in monitoring: many countries do not track violence during health emergencies. Better surveillance and quick protective actions—like safe shelters, hotlines, and community outreach—could curb the rise in abuse. Long‑term changes, such as strengthening health systems and ensuring economic support for families, would build resilience so that future outbreaks do not worsen gender‑based violence. In short, the pandemic has shown that public health responses can unintentionally make life more dangerous for women and girls. By learning from these lessons, governments can create emergency plans that keep everyone safe before, during, and after crises.