Rise of violence during COVID harmful to women – WHO reports

…cites digital health tools in providing access, services

In celebration of International Day of the Girl on Monday, the World Health Organisation reported that a rise in violence during the extant coronavirus pandemic is threatening to women.
In a statement, the WHO indicated, “Targeted investment in sustainable and effective evidence-based prevention strategies at local, national, regional and global levels is essential for preventing violence – in all its forms – against women and girls in future.”
The agency said it has developed a number of new resources on addressing violence against women and girls in the context of COVID-19. While technology cannot replace the support and guidance of adults, there are many ways that it can be leveraged to support education, counselling, and care related to sexuality, sexual identity, and sexual relationships.
WHO recently collaborated with partners to develop guidance for out-of-school CSE programmes that are appropriate and safe for different groups of children and young people. This complements the guidance developed by the United Nations on school-based sexuality education.
“Both these guidance documents assess the appropriateness of using digital media as a delivery mechanism for CSE,” the missive detailed.
The COVID-19 pandemic is exacerbating existing inequalities and disrupting access to vital health and support services. However, it has also accelerated the use of digital health and tools. This provides an opportunity especially for children and adolescents under 18, who account for an estimated one in three internet users worldwide, to access these resources.
The WHO and UN Special Research Programme (HRP) also presented some of the ways in which digital health solutions are playing a role in promoting girls’ empowerment and fulfilment of their human rights.
“When it comes to their health, the technologies they use, and how they access information, young people are well-placed to articulate their needs and contribute to finding solutions as equal and valuable partners. However, they still encounter considerable resistance to meaningful collaboration when it comes to programmes, strategies, policies, funding mechanisms and organisations that directly affect their lives.”
Youth-centred digital health intervention is a framework developed by WHO, HRP, UNESCO, UNICEF and UNFPA in 2021. It affirms that to design effective digital health solutions for young people, young people should lead and make decisions.
Recent WHO data on violence against women shows that nearly one in four (24 per cent) of adolescent girls who have been in a relationship have experienced physical and/or sexual violence by a partner. Young women are at highest risk of recent violence, that is, they have experienced violence in the past 12 months.
“Interventions with adolescents and young people to foster gender equality and gender-equitable attitudes are vital for effective prevention. It is more than 25 years since the Beijing Declaration and Platform for Action – the most progressive blueprint ever for advancing the health rights of women and girls,” said the WHO.