Strengthening prevention and response to violence against women and girls in all-hazards emergency preparedness
1
Center for Public Health Practice and Professional Development, American Public Health Association, Washington, District of Columbia, United States
2
Ujima Inc, The National Center on Violence Against Women in the Black Community, Washington, District of Columbia, United States
3
Ministry of Gender and Children’s Affairs, Freetown, Sierra Leone
4
CASA, Washington, District of Columbia, United States
5
United States Refugee Advisory Board, Dumfries, Virginia, United States
Popul. Med. 2026;8(Supplement Supplement 1):A3431
ABSTRACT
INTRODUCTION:
Violence against women and girls, including intimate partner and sexual violence, increases during public health emergencies such as pandemics, armed conflicts and natural disasters. During COVID lockdowns, reviews documented rising reports of violence linked to stay at home policies, described as a shadow pandemic, although high-quality surveillance data were limited.¹ A systematic review of 86 studies in settings affected by armed conflicts and natural disasters found that displacement, economic stress, insecurity and prior exposure to violence were associated with higher prevalence of violence against women and girls.² Despite this evidence, prevention and response remain insufficiently integrated into emergency preparedness frameworks. A review of 32 nationally determined climate policy commitments showed that only 6 countries acknowledged heightened risks of gender-based violence and only 5 outlined related measures.³
METHODS:
This organized panel draws on peer-reviewed evidence and global preparedness guidance to examine how violence against women and girls is addressed within emergency planning, surveillance and crisis communication frameworks. The panel will discuss practical strategies for integrating prevention, reporting safeguards, survivor service continuity and predefined protection triggers into all-hazards emergency preparedness systems.
RESULTS:
Preparedness systems prioritize disease control, infrastructure and logistics, with limited guidance for sustaining violence screening, secure reporting pathways and coordinated referral networks during crises. Persistent gaps include data integration, communication protocols and activation mechanisms to ensure protection and accountability for women and girls.
CONCLUSIONS:
Integrating prevention and response to violence against women and girls into all-hazards emergency preparedness is essential to strengthening public health protection. This session moves beyond documenting structural inequities to advancing practical solutions. A structured toolkit will guide agencies in embedding prevention and response within preparedness frameworks, strengthening accountability and protection across crisis contexts.
Violence against women and girls, including intimate partner and sexual violence, increases during public health emergencies such as pandemics, armed conflicts and natural disasters. During COVID lockdowns, reviews documented rising reports of violence linked to stay at home policies, described as a shadow pandemic, although high-quality surveillance data were limited.¹ A systematic review of 86 studies in settings affected by armed conflicts and natural disasters found that displacement, economic stress, insecurity and prior exposure to violence were associated with higher prevalence of violence against women and girls.² Despite this evidence, prevention and response remain insufficiently integrated into emergency preparedness frameworks. A review of 32 nationally determined climate policy commitments showed that only 6 countries acknowledged heightened risks of gender-based violence and only 5 outlined related measures.³
METHODS:
This organized panel draws on peer-reviewed evidence and global preparedness guidance to examine how violence against women and girls is addressed within emergency planning, surveillance and crisis communication frameworks. The panel will discuss practical strategies for integrating prevention, reporting safeguards, survivor service continuity and predefined protection triggers into all-hazards emergency preparedness systems.
RESULTS:
Preparedness systems prioritize disease control, infrastructure and logistics, with limited guidance for sustaining violence screening, secure reporting pathways and coordinated referral networks during crises. Persistent gaps include data integration, communication protocols and activation mechanisms to ensure protection and accountability for women and girls.
CONCLUSIONS:
Integrating prevention and response to violence against women and girls into all-hazards emergency preparedness is essential to strengthening public health protection. This session moves beyond documenting structural inequities to advancing practical solutions. A structured toolkit will guide agencies in embedding prevention and response within preparedness frameworks, strengthening accountability and protection across crisis contexts.
| eISSN: | 2654-1459 |
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