Disasters, crises and violence against women: Evidence from big data analysis

Lessons from Kiribati, Samoa, Solomon Islands and Tonga

Crisis-induced stressors are evidenced to drive Violence Against Women (VAW). As support services are compromised, people are forced to live under mobility restrictions, or in displacement settings, women may experience increased incidents of violence, overlapped with a decrease or absence of rapid and meaningful support. The Pacific Island Countries and Territories are no exception to such vulnerabilities. The COVID-19 crisis overlapped with multiple natural hazards, such as cyclones, typhoons, volcanic eruptions, and droughts as well as political unrest and violent conflicts, across Kiribati, Samoa, Solomon Islands, and Tonga.

Collecting VAW data, in particular, poses significant challenges during crises, as reaching survivors, and securing the confidentiality of their responses in situations of displacement or during lockdowns is particularly challenging. Given these challenges, UN Women’s Regional Office of Asia and the Pacific conducted a big data study to understand online search behaviors related to VAW through an analysis of search volume on violence-related search terms. This was complimented with a discourse analysis to understand the ways in the general public and service prov online with respect to VAW.

Findings prove the hypothesis that more people are searching for VAW-related terms during and after crisis. This remained true for both general information, and help seeking searches. The role of service providers for VAW survivors came out clearly through the social media analysis, though challenges in reaching these services was also reported by online users. Findings can shape VAW policies in the face of crisis, and strengthen the reach of essential services to VAW survivors.