| answer text |
<p>The UK is deeply concerned about the surge in violence against women and girls
(VAWG) during the COVID-19 pandemic. We are using significant investment and influence
within the international system to ensure that women and girls have access to the
essential and lifesaving services they need.</p><p>We have already provided £10 million
of UK aid to the UN Population Fund and £20 million to the UN Children’s Fund to scale
up protection and support services for women and girls.</p><p>We are adapting DFID’s
WISH programme activities to prevent and respond to reported increases in Sexual Gender
Based Violence (SGBV) as a result of the pandemic. This includes mapping of SGBV support
services, remote training to support women disclosing SGBV, messaging in media campaigns,
such as radio, and referrals to centres providing services for survivors; contact
centres to provide first line support; as well as support to advocacy efforts. We
are also urgently reorienting other existing bilateral programmes to ensure that women
and girls can continue to access support during the lockdown. For example, in Nepal,
the UK is financing 14 Women’s and Children Service Centres across the country and
62 One Stop Management Crisis Centres within Health Centres. In Uganda, DFID is supporting
the Government's response to the spikes in VAWG by funding 13 shelters across the
country and supporting revision of standard operating procedures to ensure safety
of frontline staff and survivors.</p><p> </p>
|
|
