Gender-Based Violence: We Must Flatten The Curve Of This Shadow Pandemic

In the run up to the 2021 Generation Equality Forum – where global actors will step up to make bold new commitments to eradicate violence against women – governments, civil society, youth, influencers and the private sector will lend their voices for the 16 Days of Activism Against Gender-Based Violence, a global mobilization campaign that runs from 25 November until 10 December. Together, they will demand a reset and to build a “new normal” that delivers a future without violence for all women and girls.

Even before COVID-19, violence against women was one of the most widespread violations of human rights, with almost 18 percent of women and girls experiencing physical or sexual violence by an intimate partner over a 12-month period.

As the pandemic raged on, an alarming upsurge of the “shadow pandemic” of violence against women became evident, with increased rates of reporting on domestic violence, as well as in the streets, online and in a variety of settings. Calls to helplines increased up to five-fold in some countries during the first weeks of the coronavirus outbreak – while in others, they decreased given the inability of women to seek help through the regular channels, while sheltered in place with their perpetrators.

Projections show that for every three months the lockdown continues, an additional 15 million women are expected to be affected by violence.

In response to a “cease-fire at home” called by the UN Secretary-General earlier this year, almost 150 countries agreed to make ending violence against women and girls a key part of their response plans for COVID-19. Many have followed through with stronger essential services, such as shelters, helplines and other reporting mechanisms.

Yet, only 48 countries, less than a quarter of the 206 analyzed in a recent study, treated violence against women and girls-related services as an integral part of their national and local COVID-19 response plans, with very few adequately funding these measures.

Addressing the pervasive under-resourcing of this critical issue, UN Women has convened the Action Coalition on Gender-based Violence, an innovative partnership of governments, civil society, youth leaders, private sector and philanthropies to develop a bold agenda of catalytic actions and leverage funding to eradicate violence against women. These bold actions and investments will be announced at the Generation Equality Forum in 2021, in Mexico and France, along with those of other five Generation Equality Action Coalitions.

Orange the World: Fund, Prevent, Respond, Collect!

The 16 Days of Activism, which is powered by grassroots organizations globally, is an opportunity to leverage the renewed sense of urgency COVID-19 has created and propel concrete action against gender-based violence. In the lead up to the International Day commemoration, UN Women has appealed to Member States to make concrete, tangible commitments during the 16 Days of Activism.

This year’s theme, “Orange the World: Fund, Prevent, Respond, Collect!”, announced by the UNiTE campaign, bolsters the UN Secretary-General’s appeal and UN system-wide rapid response to the alarming surge in violence against women and girls seen this year.

In that vein, this year’s campaign urges all governments and partners to accelerate concrete policy responses within four areas:

• Fund essential services on gender-based violence and women’s organizations working on the issue in all COVID-19 response efforts

• Prevent gender-based violence though mobilization campaigns and a zero-tolerance policy

• Respond to survivors’ needs for services like hotlines, shelters and justice response, even during lockdowns

• COLLECT data to improve services, programmes and policies

The Youth Cafe seeks to engage youth in concerns about gender-based violence in their community and working on how the youth can address the issue. Get in touch with us to be involved in building a more inclusive society.