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Gender-Based Violence Information Management System Annual Review 2020
Throughout the past year Lebanon faced a deterioration in its economic condition that resulted in the devaluation of the Lebanese pound, with estimates revealing that more than 55%1 of the country’s population is now trapped into poverty and struggling to meet primarily necessities. This is also the case of 89% of the Syrian refugee population who are living under the extreme poverty line2. This situation comes at a critical period as the country continues to report increasingly high numbers of COVID-19 cases leaving health systems and frontline workers overwhelmed. In addition, the Beirut port explosions, on August 4th, which caused large human and material losses, left thousands of people of all ages and nationalities, in particular vulnerable groups, affected with post-traumatic stress disorders and emotional traumas. Vulnerable groups at risk from the host community, namely female refugees, migrant workers, women in prostitution and persons that identify as LGBTIQ+, in particular transwomen, face higher risks in 2020 in comparison with previous years.
In light of these adversities, the annual GBVIMS report aims to provide a situational analysis on the impact of the socio-economic situation, COVID-19 pandemic and Beirut port explosions on the Gender-Based Violence (GBV) situation in Lebanon. The data reflected in this report is provided by thirteen (13) data gathering organizations that coordinate the GBVIMS through a National Steering Committee in Lebanon3. The analysis has been triangulated with other sources including protection monitoring reports, various technical sector’s data, surveys and impact assessments conducted in the period of this analysis.
GENDER ALERT ON COVID-19 LEBANON, Issue No. 5, IN FOCUS: GENDERED IMPLICATIONS OF THE 2021 NATIONWIDE TOTAL LOCKDOWN
The National Commission for Lebanese Women (NCLW), the United Nations Entity for Gender Equality and Women’s Empowerment (UN Women), the United Nations Population Fund (UNFPA), the World Health Organization (WHO), and the Lebanon Crisis Response Plan (LCRP) Inter-Agency and Protection Working Group and SGBV Task Force have partnered to provide periodic Lebanon specific gender and COVID-19 alerts throughout the public health crisis, and its ensuing economic crisis.
Beirut Port Explosion , Situation Report N.10
Experts say the massive explosion that shook Beirut’s Port on 4 August 2020, devastating large parts of Beirut, was one of the biggest non-nuclear explosions in history. As a result, more than 300,000 people were displaced, including 81,000 women of reproductive age (15 - 49 years), 3,938 of whom were pregnant. These women required support to meet their health, protection and menstrual hygiene needs, along with their overall sanitation. UNFPA, as a direct response to the emergency, immediately initiated the distribution of dignity kits through its existing implementing partners.
REGIONAL HUMANITARIAN ACTION OVERVIEW - ARAB STATES: FUNDING OVERVIEW FOR HUMANITARIAN CONTEXTS
The Arab Region is witnessing compounded humanitarian crises, the effects of which have become catastrophic. Some of these are protracted, as in Yemen, Syria, and Libya, while others have become forgotten, as in Somalia and the Palestinian territories. Meanwhile, the COVID-19 pandemic has pushed even more people behind safety lines to face gender-based violence and harmful practices against women and girls, who consistently bear the brunt of the challenges resulting from these crises.
Beirut Explosion Situation Report No.9
The massive explosion that shook Beirut’s Port, almost 4 months ago, caused widespread damage and it is becoming increasingly clear that Beirut and its population require time to heal its wounds. With over 80,000 properties damaged in the areas affected by the explosion and the arrival of winter and rain, it has become harder on the people of Beirut, many of whom are still awaiting for their houses to be rehabilitated.
Beirut Port Explosion , Situation Report N.8
Almost three months after the blast that rocked the Lebanese capital city of Beirut, urgent needs for protection, food, health, shelter and WASH remain critical. The loss of livelihoods, compounded by the current COVID-19 outbreak, as well as the country’s financial and economic crises, have raised the demand for substantial and long-term humanitarian assistance. In this context, the UN and partners are actively engaged in the development of the World Bank Group, European Union and UN Reform, Recovery and Reconstruction Framework (3RF) – a critical step in the transition from immediate humanitarian programmes to more sustainable interventions and support for recovery and reconstruction.
A RAPID GENDER ANALYSIS OF THE AUGUST 2020 BEIRUT PORT EXPLOSION: An Intersectional Examination
On August 4 2020, the devastating Beirut explosion shook the whole city to its core, taking the lives of 191 persons (120 males, 58 females, and 13 unspecified), wounding at least 6,500, and leaving 300,000 people displaced. Prior to the explosion, Lebanon’s crisis has been underpinned by extreme structural gender inequalities: Lebanon ranks 145 out of 153 countries in the World Economic Forum Global Gender Gap Report, due to low rates of women’s economic and political participation and patriarchal socio-cultural norms. The impact of the explosion compounded with the worst economic crisis in the history of Lebanon and the COVID-19 pandemic is likely to significantly push back what gains have been made on gender equality in the country.
Beirut Explosion Situation Report No.7
Almost two months and a half after the Beirut explosion of 4 August, Lebanon finds itself in an increasingly difficult and volatile situation as the country struggles with both political turmoil and a humanitarian crisis. According to the Lebanese Armed Forces, the explosion resulted in 202 fatalities, while 9 people (3 Lebanese, 5 Syrians and 1 Egyptian) are still reported missing. Already ravaged by the 4 August explosion, 9 October was a frightening day for Lebanon as well. A fire, caused by the explosion of a fuel tank, broke out in Beirut’s western neighbourhood of Tariq al-Jadide, resulting in four deaths and more than 30 injuries. On that same day, massive forest fires erupted in several areas across Lebanon, mainly in the southern areas of Jezzine, Nabatieh and Tyre as well as the Chouf and North Lebanon. In Tyre, UNIFIL helicopters were deployed to extinguish the fires as they edged toward residents' homes.
Beirut Explosion Situation Report No.6
Almost two months after the explosion that rocked the Lebanese capital on 4 August, the situation in the country remains critical. In addition to the serious humanitarian crisis, Lebanon continues to face a political crisis as Lebanon’s prime minister-designate announced his resignation on 26 September after failing to form a non-partisan cabinet. This is further compounded by a severe financial crisis with the loss of 80 per cent of its currency value since October 2019.Meanwhile, restoring shelters, rehabilitating infrastructure, securing food and protecting lives remain humanitarian response priorities, especially in view of the approaching winter. Interventions are also focusing on comprehensive and affordable primary healthcare and mental health and psychosocial support services.
Joint Rapid Multi-Sectoral Gender Assessment (RMGA) on the Beirut Blast: The Impact of the Beirut Blast on Women
On Wednesday August 4, 2020, at 6:08pm, two explosions rocked the Lebanese capital causing widespread casualties and material damage. As a result, close to 200 people lost their lives, an unknown number remain missing, and more than 6000 people are injured. Based on the estimates from the government, more than 300,000 people have lost their homes – with more than 50,000 housing units affected. The public devastation and outrage from the explosion has generated a new wave of protests across the country.