Now is the time to ensure that interventions for the prevention, mitigation and response to Gender-Based Violence (GBV) and Female Genital Mutilation (FGM) receive priority attention in Somalia as the COVID-19 pandemic continues to take a staggering toll on vulnerable communities especially women, girls and internally displaced persons (IDPs).

A newly released “GBV/FGM Rapid Assessment Report – in the context of COVID-19 Pandemic in Somalia” indicates that that COVID-19 is leading to circumstances which increase the risk of exposure for women and girls to higher levels of both Gender-based violence and Female Genital Mutilation. Measures to contain the spread of the pandemic, including lockdowns, school disruptions, present opportunities for girls to be subjected to FGM with ample healing time. These measures restrict women’s ability to engage in livelihood activities thereby reducing family incomes, which has contributed to increasing tensions and intimate partner violence in households and families.