ISLAMABAD: Like other parts of the world, the United Nations Day for the Elimination of Violence against Women will be observed on November 25 all over the world, including Pakistan.
The UN system is working hand-in-hand with UN women, survivors, activists, decision-makers, and people from all walks of life to raise funds, essential services, prevention and statistics. The need can be highlighted which creates a better informed response.
Emerging data since the outbreak of COVID-19 and the information received from the front lines have shown that all forms of violence against women and girls, especially domestic violence, have intensified. In the midst of the COVID-19 crisis, this shadow epidemic is on the rise and we need a global collective effort to stop it.
As CoVID-19 issues continue to put pressure on health services, essential services, such as domestic violence shelters and helplines, have been reached. More needs to be done to prioritize the focus on violence against women in COVID-19 response and recovery efforts.
UN Women provides up-to-date information and support to key programs to combat the epidemic of violence against women during COVID-19. As countries implement lockdown measures to curb the spread of the corona virus, violence against women, especially domestic violence, has intensified. In some countries, calls to helplines have increased fivefold.
UN Secretary-General’s UNITE Campaign to End Violence Against Women, a multifaceted effort to prevent and eliminate violence against women and girls, calls for global action to end financial aid. Emphasis will be placed on ensuring the necessary services for survivors of violence. During the CoVID-19 crisis, focus on prevention, and data collection that can improve life-saving services for women and girls.
The theme for this year’s World Day for the Elimination of Violence against Women is Orange the World: Fund, Respond, Prevent, Raise! As in previous years, this year will mark the beginning of the International Day of Human Rights on 16 December, ending on 10 December 2020, International Human Rights Day. Numerous public events are being coordinated for this year’s World Day. Famous buildings and landmarks will be erected to commemorate the need for a non-violent future.
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