COVID-19 and GBV - Caribbean resilience to natural and manmade hazards relies on spaces where violence is not used to address problems
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Bridgetown, Barbados. COVID-19 is contracting our economic spaces, it is making childcare responsibilities multiply unequally. UN Women MCO Caribbean Representative (a.i.) Tonni Brodber explained that this could exacerbate risk factors for intimate partner violence. Women who experienced violence in their relationships indicated that they quarreled frequently with their partners. A significant risk factor is also the belief that a man is justified in hitting a woman if she neglects the children or argues back were risk factors for intimate partner violence.
She told the audience at Barbados’ national 16 Days launch that some of the risk factors that lead to IPV have been severely exacerbated by the impacts of COVID-19. The audience included Barbados’ minister with responsibility for gender affairs, the Honourable Cynthia Forde - Minister of People Empowerment and Elder Affairs.