UN chief urges govts to safeguard women during virus lockdown
UN Secretary General Antonio Guterres has urged governments to include the protection of ladies in their response to the deadly novel coronavirus pandemic.
Reports of domestic violence have surged globally in the wake of massive lockdowns imposed to support the spread of the condition.
“Violence is not confined to the battlefield,” said Guterres in a statement and video released in multiple languages, days after his require a worldwide ceasefire in the wake of the outbreak.
“For many women and girls, the threat looms greatest where they must be safest. Within their own homes,” he said.
Describing the rise in domestic violence as “horrifying,” he urged all governments “to help make the prevention and redress of violence against women an integral part of their national response plans for COVID-19.”
India reported double the usual number of domestic abuse cases in the first week of nationwide movement restrictions, in line with the country’s National Commission for Women.
Cases in France rose by a third in the week from then on country’s lockdown, authorities said, while Australia reported a 75 percent upsurge in internet searches associated with support for domestic violence victims.
Guterres called for establishing emergency warning systems in pharmacies and groceries, and for safe ways “for women to get support, without alerting their abusers.”
“Together, we are able to and must prevent violence everywhere, from war zones to people’s homes, as we work to beat COVID-19,” he said, as he called “for peace in the home - and in homes - all over the world.”-- AFP
