indicates that domestic violence is one of the greatest human rights violations. Some 243 million women and girls (aged 15-49) have been subjected to sexual or physical violence by an intimate partner in the last 12 months. As the COVID-19 pandemic continues, this number is likely to grow. Increases in interpersonal violence during times of crisis are well documented. UN Secretary-General Ant贸nio Guterres urged all Governments to make the prevention and redress of violence against women part of their national response plans. Over 140 Governments have supported this call.
Five unexpected, and critical, takeaways from UNFPA鈥檚 flagship . Without urgent action, the situation for women and girls could worsen.
UN Women Goodwill Ambassador and Academy-Award winning actor聽Nicole聽Kidman聽raises awareness on ending violence against women during and after the COVID-19 pandemic.
When fathers share the care
Girl students disappear from class in Malawi when they were married off or became pregnant. Boys also dropped out, but the trend was much more worrying for girls. Some 42 per cent of girls are married while still children, according to . Some 29 per cent of girls aged 15-19 have already begun childbearing. Both marriage and pregnancy contribute to high drop-out rates in the country. provides comprehensive sexuality education to students.
Already a dramatically under-reported crime, conflict-related sexual violence has been further obscured by this pandemic. COVID-19 hampers the possibility of survivors to report sexual violence and further exacerbates the existing structural, institutional and sociocultural barriers to reporting such crimes. On this International Day for the Elimination of Sexual Violence in Conflict, the United Nations stands in solidarity with survivors. A virtual event will take place on 19 June 2020 (10 a.m. EST) to mark the observance. Watch live on .
The Shadow Pandemic: Domestic violence in the wake of COVID-19
A deadly #ShadowPandemic of domestic violence is surging in the wake of COVID-19. Violence against women and girls has intensified in countries around the world.
More women in peacekeeping means more effective peacekeeping. The theme for this year鈥檚 International Day of UN 探花精选keepers: 鈥淲omen in 探花精选keeping: A Key to 探花精选鈥, also marks the 20th anniversary of the adoption of . UN 探花精选keepers are now facing one of their greatest challenges - supporting and protecting the people in the countries they are based in during the COVID-19 pandemic. Women peacekeepers are on the front lines implementing mission mandates while contributing as an integral part of the COVID-19 response.
Women are at the heart of care and response efforts for the pandemic.
The persistence of obstetric fistula, one of the most serious injuries that can occur during childbirth, is a tragic sign of social injustice and inequity in developing countries. This failure of health systems could grow greater in times of COVID-19. This International Day to End Obstetric Fistula, the theme is: "End gender inequality! End health inequities! End Fistula now!". Efforts to end fistula should continue. Universal access to quality maternal health care, preventive measures, and increased attention to affected women and girls should be a priority right now.
When it comes to unpaid work, not everyone is in the same boat. What does your boat look like? Let鈥檚 find out鈥
Empowering and protecting rural women in the time of coronavirus
The COVID-19 pandemic will uniquely affect women in many ways. To respond effectively to the crisis, leaders around the world must take into account gender-dynamics of the outbreak鈥檚 impact. Paying attention to women鈥檚 needs and leadership will strengthen the #COVID19 response.
reports significant levels of lockdown-related disruption over 6 months could leave 47 million women in low- and middle-income countries unable to use contraceptives, leading to a 7 million additional unintended pregnancies. Other projections include an additional 31 million cases of gender-based violence, an estimated 2 million more cases of FGM over the next decade than would otherwise have occurred, and an estimated 13 million more child marriages over 10 years.
The International Girls in ICT Day aims to encourage girls and young women鈥檚 interest in the technology sector. Today, the Secretary-General tells girls and young women 鈥渢he world cannot afford to lose your talent鈥. encourages to counter the COVID-19 imposed distance by staying connected through online celebrations. Let's turn current constraints into opportunities to demonstrate the power of technology. The Girls in ICT portal remains the central hub for sharing activities with the Girls in ICT community by .