As more and more countries enforce lockdowns to slow the spread of COVID-19, the rates of sexual and gender-based violence around the world seem to be increasing. As the co-author of the recent research study, “Pandemics and Violence Against Women and Children”, Megan O’Donnell discusses the effects of pandemics on sexual and gender based violence, as well as the measures that can be taken to mitigate them.

Megan O’Donnell, from the Center for Global Development (CGD), works on issues related to women’s economic empowerment and financial inclusion, gender data and measurement, and development effectiveness. Prior to CGD, O’Donnell worked at the ONE Campaign, an international advocacy organization focused on sub-Saharan Africa, where she led the development of ONE’s gender and inclusive growth-focused policy recommendations to donors and country governments. Before joining ONE, she coordinated CGD’s gender research programme and has also worked with the Inter-American Development Bank, the International Center for Research on Women, CARE USA, Banyan Global, and the Middle East Institute.