Prevention and Response to Sexual and Gender-based Violence in COVID-19 Quarantine Centres: Recommendations and best practice

All around the world, authorities are implementing measures to contain the spread and impact of COVID-19 in order to protect their citizens. Many governments are setting up quarantine centres managed by armed forces. Some countries are building emergency camps on islands, while others are using existing infrastructure, such as hotels, military bases or schools. 

Isolating people are crucial to stop the spread of the virus, but it is important to remember that this can expose quarantined people to other risks. Sexual and gender-based violence is one such risk, and we know from other similar crises that restricted movement and confinement in a camp exacerbate the risk and prevalence of violence. Women and girls are especially vulnerable to this type of violence, and it is crucial that they stay protected also in quarantine camps. 

This document includes recommendations on how to keep women and girls protected from sexual and gender-based violence in COVID-19 quarantine centres.