António Guterres: “Today I appeal for peace in homes around the world”

The UN Secretary General drew attention to an increase of domestic violence.

In the context of self-isolation due to the spread of coronavirus, the global increase in domestic violence has forced UN Secretary-General Antonio Guterres to make a special statement. The Secretary-General called on the authorities to protect women who have been left alone in their homes.

In his words, The combination of economic and social stresses brought on by the pandemic, as well as restrictions on movement, have dramatically increased the numbers of women and girls facing abuse, in almost all countries. Many women under lockdown for #COVID19 face violence where they should be safest: in their own homes.

The number one UN official posted his video on his Twitter page, emphasizing that the absence of war does not mean peace, urging all governments to put women’s safety first as they respond to the pandemic.

The UN chief urged all governments to make the prevention and redress of violence against women a key part of their national response plans for COVID-19, and outlined several actions that can be taken to improve the situation.

“Together, we can and must prevent violence everywhere, from war zones to people’s homes, as we work to beat COVID-19”, said  António Guterres, UN Secretary-General

However, even before the global spread of the new coronavirus, statistics showed that a third of women around the world experienced some form of violence in their lives.

The issue affects both developed and poorer economies: nearly a quarter of female college students reported having experienced sexual assault or misconduct in the USA, whilst in parts of sub-Saharan Africa, partner violence to be a reality for 65 per cent of women.