Sec. 233. Addressing threats to women and girls in the COVID–19 pandemic
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It is the sense of Congress that— credible research indicates that the COVID–19 pandemic has increased exposure to domestic violence, child marriage, trafficking and other forms of gender-based violence and abuse, and has increased and compounded the risks displaced women and girls face in emergencies; the COVID–19 pandemic is disrupting access to sexual and reproductive health care, including antenatal and postnatal care, contraception, and care related to HIV/AIDS and sexually transmitted infections; sexual and reproductive health care must remain essential priorities to ensure women and girls may continue to access these services from the most trusted providers; and the United States Government should fully support the United Nations Population Fund, which is playing a critical role in the pandemic response and is the lead United Nations agency mandated to address sexual and reproductive health needs, as well as coordinating gender-based violence
(GBV)response in humanitarian emergencies. The Secretary of State, in coordination with the Administrator of the United States Agency for International Development, shall carry out activities to prevent, mitigate, and respond to gender-based violence during and following the COVID–19 pandemic, including— providing training, equipment, and capacity building for frontline responders, including health care workers, humanitarian aid personnel, and other service deliverers— to identify and prevent gender-based violence in communities affected by COVID–19; and to support survivors and those at risk through best practices, including— immediate, life-saving assistance, including medical care, hygiene and dignity kits, the clinical management of rape, mental health and psychological support, and referral to other services, including case management; access to justice and community-level reintegration; and opportunities to earn livelihoods, build skills, and receive an education; ensuring that mechanisms such as domestic abuse hotlines and services for survivors of GBV are considered essential services within COVID–19 response programs and are fully resourced; prioritizing the use of technology and other remote options to maintain contact with and support survivors of violence when movement or access is restricted; integrating the prevention of sexual exploitation and abuse committed by aid workers or others providing response services into all programs, including prioritizing appropriate training, monitoring, and accountability mechanisms; and ensuring that frontline workers, including those providing in-person services to address gender-based violence, have the personal protective equipment, training, and other safety measures needed to safely provide essential services during the pandemic on an urgent basis and in a manner consistent with efforts to respond to the spread of COVID–19 in the United States. Notwithstanding the Secretary of State's determination on July 8, 2019, made pursuant to the third proviso of title III of the Department of State, Foreign Operations, and Related Programs Appropriations Act, 2019 (division F of Public Law 116–6 ), funds authorized under this Act shall be made available to the United Nations Population Fund, including for the following purposes in COVID–19 impacted countries: Improved data collection, coordination, technical expertise and availability of dedicated gender advisors to prevent and respond to gender-based violence in humanitarian settings through the Gender Based Violence Area of Responsibility forum, which is managed by the United Nations Population Fund, and across sectors of humanitarian action, including through training and sensitization of humanitarian aid workers on identification of and care for survivors of gender-based violence, which has spiked globally amid the COVID–19 pandemic. Procurement and distribution of personal protective equipment to assist frontline health care workers on an urgent basis and in a manner consistent with efforts to respond to the spread of COVID–19 in the United States. Procurement and distribution of sanitizing agents to assist frontline health care workers in infection control. Reduction of preventable maternal deaths by delivering prenatal care, antenatal care, and safe childbirth delivery services. Addressing the unmet need for contraception, by procuring and distributing essential contraceptive supplies and by improving the functioning of the supply chain. Coordination and delivery of gender-based violence prevention, mitigation, and education services. Coordination and delivery of information and services to prevent child marriage and female genital mutilation, the incidence of which has increased during the COVID–19 pandemic.
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Sec. 233
Addressing threats to women and girls in the COVID–19 pandemic
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