**Abstract**

Although COVID-19 has affected both men and women, it seemingly has impacted on women's mental health in peculiar ways, specifically in terms of varying forms of abuse such as increased gender-based violence (GBV), which dehumanizes women. Across the globe, women have been notable victims of gender-based violence, but the surge of COVID-19 has worsened the records of GBV. Therefore, this chapter provides a critical review of literature conducted through three database sites: Google Scholar, Research Gate, and Sage based on researches published across 2020–2022 (and other available data documents) in relation to the effects of COVID-19 on women's mental health. Based on the reviewed articles, recommendations were made for strategic adjustment, particularly for policy makers and for women themselves to be more proactive in being agentive toward self-protection and advocacy.

**Keywords:** COVID-19, women's mental health, gender-based violence, victims, strategic adjustment
