Collectively, we need to provide extra support to protect those experiencing domestic violence through specializing training of first responders, additional emergency shelters for survivors, immediate removal of abusers, and increased support for helplines.

While the current economic downturn is affecting both men and women, past evidence shows that domestic violence against women increases during periods of high unemployment.

According to the Iraq Family Health survey, 1 in 5 Iraqi women are subjected to domestic violence.

As in many other countries, COVID-19 has exacerbated instances of domestic violence in Iraq, with an average increase of 30% since the country-wide curfew began, and some regions seeing an increase as high as 50%.

For survivors of violence and women displaced in Iraq and globally, the consequences of COVID-19 lockdowns often mean limited access to life saving services.