Gender-based violence crisis centres from six countries in the Pacific have faced not only the COVID-19 crisis, but also in some countries, the dual impact of a tropical cyclone. UN Women’s Ending Violence Against Women and Girls programme works in close collaboration with government, civil society organisations, communities and other partners to promote gender equality, prevent violence against women and girls, and increase access to quality response services for survivors, especially during emergencies.

As COVID-19 prevention measures in the Pacific region and around the world limited movement and encouraged home isolation, the number of women seeking domestic violence support services have surged. In Samoa, there has been a 150 per cent increase in the number of helpline calls, compared to the same time last year, says Silliniu Lina Chang, President of the Samoa Victim Support Group (SVSG). “Tensions build as families are hit by unemployment, and from not being able to provide for...