Citation

Brion SO, Fredericks JL, Mkona CT, Shahi S. J. Int. AIDS Soc. 2021; 24(11): e25851.

Copyright

(Copyright © 2021, Holtzbrinck Springer Nature Publishing Group - BMC)

DOI

10.1002/jia2.25851

PMID

34821046

Abstract

As the COVID-19 pandemic continues to evolve, a "shadow pandemic" of intensified intimate partner violence and sexual assault has unfolded for women worldwide [1]. Although data on the scale of the violence are still emerging, concerning early reports include a 24% increase in reported rapes in Uganda [2], 30-45% increases in domestic violence cases in France and Brazil, respectively, and a 130% increase in calls to domestic violence hotlines in Colombia [3]. Women living with HIV and women from key populations have experienced unique and increased vulnerabilities to intimate partner violence due to pandemic and lockdown-related challenges in maintaining confidentiality, accessing and adhering to treatment, care and support, particularly sexual and reproductive health and maternal care. Women living with HIV have also reported increased instances of forced disclosure of HIV status, and increased stigma and discrimination [4-6]. The rise in violence and the inadequacy of available support and services have catalyzed public discourse about strengthening responses to intimate partner violence, with health systems envisioned as essential sources of help and support for women experiencing gender-based violence [7]. However, these systems have not reliably been places of safety for women living with HIV.

Even before the pandemic, women living with HIV experienced disproportionate levels of violence in healthcare settings related to their HIV status, namely, denials of care, stigma and discrimination, and obstetric violence [8]. Obstetric violence is a specific form of gender-based violence experienced by women during pregnancy, childbirth and the postpartum period in healthcare settings, including disrespectful and abusive treatment, physical abuse and violations of bodily integrity and autonomy, such as forced or coerced medically unjustified sterilization, abortion and Caesarian section [9,10]. The World Health Organization has identified women living with HIV as particularly likely to experience this type of disrespectful and abusive treatment during maternal healthcare...

Language: en