This brief paper summarises principles and recommendations to those planning to embark on data collection on the impact of COVID-19 on violence against women and girls. It was informed by the needs and challenges identified by colleagues in regional and country offices and has benefited from their input. It responds to the difficulties to adhere to methodological, ethical and safety principles in the context of the physical distancing and staying at home measures imposed in many countries.

This document was developed under the UN Women-WHO Global Joint Program “Strengthening methodologies and measurement and building national capacities for violence against women data”. The paper complements the UN Women’s brief “COVID-19 and violence against women and girls” and WHO’s paper “COVID-19 and violence against women“

This brief is part of the “EVAW COVID-19 briefs” series.