Research being undertaken by Gold Matters team member Margaret Tuhumwire has uncovered a rise in sexual and gender-based violence (SGBV) against girls linked to pandemic school closures in mining communities in Uganda.
As reported by the World Health Organization, violence against women and girls has increased under the COVID-19 pandemic. In Uganda, where rates of sexual and gender-based violence are high, by both global and African comparison, prolonged school closures and economic pressures have exacerbated the situation.
A new policy note published by the Nordic Africa Insitute and co-authored by members of the Gold Matters team explores the issues that have led to the rise in SGBV, and makes recommendations for short- to medium-term safeguarding as well as longer-term empowerment.
