Reflections on strategies to mitigate women’s vulnerabilities to intimate violence in the pandemic by covid-19

Abstract

In the midst of economic and social crises that occur in the context of pandemics, epidemics and climate disasters, there was an increase in women’s vulnerabilities to Intimate Violence (IV). In this article, the objective is to reflect on strategies in the health field that can collaborate to mitigate these vulnerabilities. It is a theoretical-reflective essay elaborated from the dialogue between the theoretical references of vulnerability and human rights and the ecological model for understanding violence. These references made it possible to list strategies for coping with IV, analyzing them at the individual, family, community and social levels, understanding that the dimensions of vulnerability need to be addressed inseparably. This analysis emphasized that it is essential to understand the social markers of difference and how oppressions of social class, race and gender are articulated in the constitution of vulnerabilities to IV. By this understanding, it was also possible to highlight the essential role of Primary Health Care in assisting women in situations of violence. It is recommended that public authorities, university and health services can co-produce responses that mitigate these as strategies become a priority.