The gendered impacts of infectious disease outbreaks and their propensity to increase Gender-Based Violence
(GBV) have been well-documented in each of the most recent major epidemics - including Zika, SARS
and Ebola.1 Early evidence indicates that COVID-19 is no different in this respect, with GBV providers and
community groups reporting a sharp increase in reported incidents of Intimate Partner Violence.2 Adolescent
girls are particularly vulnerable. Studies of past disease outbreaks and other humanitarian crisis have shown
that without targeted intervention, COVID-19 will heighten pre-existing risks of GBV against girls, stymie their
social, economic and educational development and threaten their sexual reproductive health.3 This paper looks
to set out the particular vulnerabilities for adolescent girls and provides practical guidance on how to provide
girls with targeted support during the course of the COVID-19 pandemic.