Is ethical review a barrier to research on violence against women and violence against children in low and middle income countries?

Violence against women (VAW) and violence against children (VAC) are sensitive topics. Undertaking research in these areas poses some unique methodological and ethical challenges, including issues of safety; confidentiality; and researcher skill and training. The physical safety and psychological well-being of research participants and the research team alike can be put at risk if adequate precautions are not taken. Furthermore, the quality of data may be impacted if researchers do not take adequate measures to address the range of ethical and safety challenges posed by such research. However, accessing appropriate ethical review processes can be challenging, particularly in low- and middle-income countries (LMICs). This blog outlines the inequities and barriers that researchers in LMICs face in accessing and benefiting from ethical review processes. We draw on our experiences as researchers and research facilitators in the fields of VAW and VAC in LMIC contexts and make recommendations for improved research supports and infrastructure.