The effects of the lockdown due to the COVID-19 pandemic have led to a dramatic increase in incidents of gender-based violence (GBV) in Madagascar. The results of the online survey "Women's Perception of the Impacts of the COVID-19 Pandemic and GBV in Madagascar" conducted by UNFPA from April to May 2020 showed that there was an increase in gender-based violence at the community level (reported by 78 percent of respondents) and that 50 percent of respondents had experienced violence.

Strong cooperation between the Government of Madagascar, the Government of Japan and UNFPA through the project "Provision of Integrated Emergency Sexual and Reproductive Health Services and Gender-Based Violence Prevention and Response for the Most Vulnerable Women and Girls in Madagascar” is addressing the situation. This project of 591,754USD will be implemented in three major cities of Madagascar (Antananarivo, Toamasina and Mahajanga) which have high prevalence of gender-based violence (MICS, 2018). Key interventions of the project include: (i) awareness-raising sessions against gender-based violence; (ii) provision of integrated services for GBV survivors; (iii) rehabilitation and equipping of 5 listening and legal counseling centers; (iv) provision of social and economic reintegration activities. It will target 20,000 girls and women, including 4,000 survivors of violence and people living with disabilities.

If these mothers and their vulnerable daughters are exposed to violence, we must do everything we can to protect them

The project was jointly launched by the Minister of Population, Social Protection and Promotion of Women, the Ambassador of Japan to Madagascar, the UNFPA Representative. "The protection of mothers' health and their protection against violence are of particular importance… If these mothers and their vulnerable daughters are exposed to violence, we must do everything we can to protect them. That is why Japan decided to support this project in collaboration with UNFPA and the Ministry of Population" said HIGUCHI Yoshihiro, Ambassador of Japan to Madagascar.

Mr. Koffi Kouame, UNFPA Representative for Madagascar, reiterated that “COVID 19 is not an excuse for inaction or an excuse for not investing in the health and welfare of the population”. On her part, the Minister of Population, Social Protection and Promotion of Women, Mrs. Michelle Bavy Angelica underscored that this project contributes to the fulfillment of the Presidential commitment n°8 and to the Government's priorities on the fight against Gender Based Violence. "The march towards zero gender-based violence and harmful practices continues”.