Global policies to reduce pandemic intensified violence against women

Violence against women (VAW) worsened globally during the Covid-19 pandemic lockdowns. For example, a woman in France was killed every 3 days during lockdown. At the same time in South Africa, a woman was killed every 3 h. This paper presents and analyzes the risk factors that have worsened during the Covid-19 pandemic lockdowns and the subsequent economic consequences of mitigation policies. The purpose of this paper is twofold: (a) to conduct a critical review of international extant literature regarding government policies related to VAW since the beginning of the worldwide Covid-19 pandemic lockdowns that began in early 2020, and (b) to suggest opportunities for nurses to influence health policy development and social norms related to VAW. Thematic synthesis of the findings present interventions that helped to mitigate VAW during Covid-19 and is followed by a discussion of findings in relation to social determinants of health and human rights. A gender-based policy approach that focuses on the human right to be free of all forms of violence must be a leading strategy as governments reallocate resources and rebuild economies in the wake of this pandemic.