The COVID-19 pandemic has heightened the risk of gender-based violence as displaced women and girls are forced to reside with their abusers, the United Nations High Commissioner for Refugees (UNHCR) warned on Monday.

The lockdown imposed to stem the spread of the virus has resulted in restricted movement, reduced community interaction, the closure of services and worsening socio-economic conditions.

These factors have made the situation significantly worse for vulnerable migrant women, with some even facing the prospect of being pushed into "survival sex" and child marriage, according to the UNHCR.

The assistant high commissioner for protection at UNHCR, Gillian Triggs, said: "We need to pay urgent attention to the protection of refugee, displaced and stateless women and girls at the time of this pandemic.

"They are among those most at-risk. Doors should not be left open for abusers and no help spared for women surviving abuse and violence."

She pointed out that some women might be trapped with their abusers in shelters and homes "without the opportunity to distance themselves or to seek in-person support."

The restrictions have also resulted in limited access to support services with some safe shelters temporarily shutting down.

In an effort to mitigate the threat, the UN agency has been distributing emergency cash to survivors and women at risk of violence.

Triggs urged the authorities to take into account the state of displaced and stateless women when they draw up COVID-19 response and recovery measures.

These include access to health and security services, psycho-social support, safe shelters and the justice system. 

"All women and girls have the right to a life free from all forms of violence. We must stand with displaced and stateless women and girls as we reiterate the secretary general's message and urge all governments to put all women's and girls' safety first as they respond to the pandemic," Triggs said.

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