The United Nations Population Fund (UNFPA) has cautioned that the Covid-19 pandemic is expected to increase the levels of violence, and in the immediate term, the largest contributor is likely to come from the effects of stay-at-home orders and movement restrictions, which could increase women’s exposure to violent partners.

Projections show there would be an additional 15 million cases of intimate partner violence in 2020 for an average lockdown duration of 3 months, 31m cases for an average lockdown of 6 months, 45m for an average lockdown of 9 months, and 61m if the average lockdown period were to be as long as one year.

Together, they amount to an additional 15m cases of gender-based violence for every 3 months the lockdown continues.