Inclusion of domestic violence risk in disaster response urged

F.P. Report

PESHAWAR: The United Nations Sexual and Reproductive Health Agency (UNFPA) in its data has revealed that 31 million additional cases of gender-based violence (GBV) can be expected to occur if the lockdown continues for at least 6 months.

In this correlation, the representatives of civil society organization have stressed the needs for taking swift measures to combat domestic violence and it needs proper attention by national disaster management agencies.

They have expressed solidarity and also appreciated provincial government for its actions to protect citizens from the COVID-19 pandemic and adding the swift actions of frontline health medical staff and security agencies in relation to the prevention and response to pandemic is commendable, a news statement issued on Monday by civil society organizations.

It further added civil society organizations (CSOs) expressed solidarity with, respect, data released by UNFPA, the United Nations sexual and reproductive health agency says that 31 million additional cases of gender-based violence (GBV) can be expected to occur if the lockdown continues for at least six months. For every three months the lockdown continues, an additional 15 million extra cases of gender-based violence are expected.

It also says that COVID-19 will also disrupt efforts to end child marriage, potentially resulting in an additional 13 million child marriages taking place between 2020 and 2030 that could otherwise have been averted.

According to CSO, while the root cause of GBV is unequal power relations, the COVID-19 pandemic is likely to increase the known triggers of GBV. Indications from women’s rights organizations and GBV service providers in Pakistan and elsewhere around the world during COVID-19 so far, as well experiences from past epidemics, point to increased risks of gender based violence

Program Coordinator Blue Veins and co-chair EVAW/G Alliance KP, Qamar Naseem said, women and girls are more affected by pandemics generally because of the gender inequality evident in society at large. “Women and girls trapped in abusive domestic situations are in jeopardy because of the lockdowns and restrictions on their movements imposed by governments to contain the spread of the pandemic” he stated. 

He added that we call on all on the provincial and national disaster management authorities to give attention to this urgent issue so that support to victims of domestic abuse are included in their COVID-19 response plans”.

Taimur Kamal Coordinator of Pakhtunkhwa Civil Society Network Said “Govt needs to allocate adequate funding and careful planning of shelters for women and girls escaping domestic abuse. It also means increasing the level of online support services including help-lines to police and social services, he suggested.

He informed that it is clear that health workers and police services are working at full stretch dealing with the consequences of this pandemic, but it is crucially important that they liaise with civil society organizations so that necessary support is provided to the increasing number of victims of domestic violence as a result of COVID-19.”