This webinar explored the potential role of social protection as a response to the ‘shadow pandemic’ of violence against women and girls during the COVID-19 crisis in the Indo-Pacific region. It specifically looked at intimate partner violence (IPV) and cash transfers, which is the most common form of social protection. The webinar presented new evidence, practitioner perspectives, and examples of emerging practical innovations from programming, within the context of social protection approaches to IPV. It sought to pinpoint key opportunities and actionable recommendations for actors working on social protection responses to COVID-19 in the Indo-Pacific region and at the intersection of long-term and emergency (humanitarian) situations.

Panellists:

• Dr Amber Peterman, Department of Public Policy, University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill and Social Policy Consultant 
• Melissa Alvarado, Ending Violence against Women (EVAW) Regional Programme Manager at UN Women, Asia-Pacific Regional Office
• Nalini Singh, Executive Director, Fiji Women’s Rights Movement
• Lara Quarterman, Independent Consultant (Social Protection and VAWG)

Moderators:

• Julie-Ann Guivarra, Ambassador for Gender Equality, Department of Foreign Affairs of Australia
• Sarah Goulding, Assistant Secretary, Education, Social Protection and Human Development Finance Branch, DFAT