GENDER-BASED VIOLENCE IN EMERGENCY SITUATIONS: AN INTERDISCIPLINARY REVIEW OF FORMS, CAUSES, AND CONTEXTS

Abstract

Gender-based violence (GBV) is one of the most pressing challenges of contemporary society, as it violates fundamental human rights and causes long-term psychosocial consequences for survivors. Under “ordinary” conditions, GBV manifests through sexual, physical, psychological, or economic violence, as well as restrictions of reproductive rights. In crisis contexts, people’s vulnerability to GBV increases manifold. Such circumstances not only intensify existing forms of violence but also create conditions for the emergence of new, less visible manifestations that undermine the integrity of individuals and social ties. The purpose of the article is to conduct an interdisciplinary review of contemporary scholarly sources aimed at systematizing data on the prevalence, forms, and contexts of GBV in emergency situations, as well as examining strategies of response and support for survivors. The review is based on peer-reviewed publications from 2019–2024, including systematic reviews, meta-analyses, and empirical studies. The dataset incorporates materials from Ukraine and international reports covering more than 20 countries. The analysis was completed in May 2025. The study addresses the prevalence of gender-based violence during the COVID-19 pandemic, in the context of natural disasters, and within international experience of armed conflicts and related mass displacement – both within national borders and through cross-border migration. Special attention is given to the vulnerability of specific groups in each type of emergency context. The findings of the review provide a deeper understanding of the specificity of GBV and highlight the multidimensional impact of this phenomenon on the psychosocial well-being of survivors. Emergencies create conditions for the spread of various forms of GBV while simultaneously reinforcing gender inequality. Countering this phenomenon requires a comprehensive approach, ranging from psychological and medical support to the transformation of social norms, improvement of legal mechanisms, and strengthening of cross-sectoral cooperation.