Finding virtual solutions: UNDP Iraq provides psychosocial support to Iraqi women during COVID-19 pandemic

May 7, 2020

A newly trained social worker contacts Iraqi women from her home.

Nations around the world have documented an increase in domestic violence following the spread of the COVID-19 pandemic. Movement restrictions and government-mandated social distancing have confined family members to their homes, limiting their connection with others. Finding ways to assist those vulnerable to domestic abuse means thinking outside of the box.   

In Iraq, approximately 40,500 women in the nursing profession are more likely to be exposed to the virus, increasing their risk of infection and exhaustion. Iraqi women are often responsible for caring for family members, and the overload of domestic work, in addition to a lack of income faced by some, can increase tension and violent behavior against women, children and the elderly.

UNDP Iraq’s Integrated Reconciliation Project supports victims of violence and women affected by conflict, aligning with the UN Secretary General’s recent call to put women and girls at the center of efforts during the COVID-19 pandemic response. Supported by the Government of Denmark, 75 social workers from NGOs across 15 governorates were trained on providing psychosocial support for victims of violence in conflict settings. To work around the strict curfews implemented by the Government of Iraq to curb coronavirus infections, the training was conducted between April 17 and April 19 through a web-based platform for social workers in their homes.

The training itself was developed by UNDP Iraq following an online video meeting with representatives from various local non-governmental organizations to discuss providing support during isolation due to the pandemic. Guidelines were shared with participants and the training focused on expressive writing techniques as well the methodology and tools that the social workers can use to support Iraqi women.

For many social workers, this project was their introduction to virtual capacity-building. Rawa, from the Eve Organization, says, “This was the first online session I have attended in the area of ​​psychological support for women. The training helped me to realize that there are tools and techniques we must learn because social workers are needed in times of crisis. It taught us to be creative with communication to alleviate suffering.”

Newly trained social workers contact Iraqi women in their home.

Under supervision of a UNDP expert and specialized NGOs to ensure successful implementation of techniques learned during the training, each social worker began contacting ten women by phone in Iraq per day. In total, 7,500 women were reached within ten days.

Many social workers have shared touching stories about the reactions from the women they have reached over the phone. Imman, from the Institute of Women Leaders, notes, “The gratitude and appreciation I have heard from women has made me very proud. A woman told me that being connected with other women during the pandemic has directly reduced her feelings of isolation and fear.”