UN Chief Cites ‘Horrifying Global Surge In Domestic Violence’, Urges Countries to Protect Women

Guterres called for the setting up of emergency warning systems in pharmacies and groceries, and for safe ways for women to seek support, without alerting their abusers. 

Geneva: At a time when people across the world have been forced to stay inside their homes to help control the spread of coronavirus, inhuman cases of domestic violence meted on women have constantly been on the rise. With no avenue to escape, women continue to be the victims of abuse and assault by men.

Expressing concern over the same, UN Secretary General António Guterres on Monday appealed governments to pay attention to and prevent a “horrifying global surge in domestic violence” over the last few weeks amid lockdown measures imposed by several countries.

In a video message on Twitter, Guterres appealed for peace in homes around the world, pointing out how the domestic violence cases have surged amid the lockdowns.

He captioned the video as, ”Peace is not just the absence of war. Many women under lockdown for #COVID19 face violence where they should be safest: in their own homes. Today I appeal for peace in homes around the world. I urge all governments to put women’s safety first as they respond to the pandemic”.

Peace is not just the absence of war. Many women under lockdown for #COVID19 face violence where they should be safest: in their own homes.

Today I appeal for peace in homes around the world.

I urge all governments to put women’s safety first as they respond to the pandemic. pic.twitter.com/PjDUTrMb9v

— António Guterres (@antonioguterres) April 6, 2020

“Lockdown and quarantine are essential to suppress covid-19, but they can trap women with abusive partners. Over the last week as economic pressures have grown we have seen a horrifying surge in domestic violence. In some countries the number of women calling support services have doubled,” he added.

Urging governments to redress violence against women, Guterres called for the setting up of emergency warning systems in pharmacies and groceries, and for safe ways for women to seek support, without alerting their abusers.

He also asked for increased investment in online services and civil society organisations and making sure judicial systems continue to prosecute abusers.

Here are some disturbing facts:

Various reports say that calls to online services and domestic violence cases have increased in the United States

Gender-based violence cases doubled in India during the first week of restricted movements,

The killing of women has surged in Turkey since the government advised people to stay home March 1

90,000 reports of gender-based violence were reported in South Africa during the first week of its lock-down.

Australian government reported a 75% increase in online searches for support on domestic violence

Domestic violence rose 32% across France and 36% in Paris in one week, according to the media reports.