'Calamitous': domestic violence set to soar by 20% during global lockdown

Data from the UN population fund, outlining increases in abuse, FGM and child marriage, predicts a grim decade for many women

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At least 15m more cases of domestic violence are predicted around the world this year as a result of pandemic restrictions, according to new data that paints a bleak picture of life for women over the next decade.

The UN Population Fund (UNFPA) has also calculated that tens of millions of women will not be able to access modern contraceptives this year, and millions more girls will undergo female genital mutilation or be married off by 2030.