Many women under lockdown for COVID-19 face violence, UN chief

UN chief António Guterres has called measures to address a “horrifying global surge in domestic violence” for raising voice for women, related to lockdown enforced by governments to deal with coronavirus pandemic.

UN chief referred to his appeals for a global ceasefire. He said that violence is not limited to the battlefield, and “for many women and girls, the threat looms largest where they should be safest: in their own homes”.

UN chief António Guterres shared a video of his speech on Twitter. He wrote the caption, “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

According to the international news agency, economic and social stresses resulted from measures amid coronavirus pandemic have led to an increase in domestic abuse in almost all the countries. However, the UN says that a third of women around the world faced abuse even before the pandemic.

UN says that around one-fourth of female college students in the USA have faced harassment. Whereas 65% of women face violence in Sub-Saharan Africa.

Apart from that, researches by the World Health Organization say that women who face violence are twice as likely to have an abortion, and the circumstances can also cause depression.