Coronavirus: UN Secretary-General urges world to protect women

Antonio Guterres, launched Sunday, April 5 a global appeal to protect women and girls " at home ", while the confinement caused by the Covid-19 pandemic exacerbates domestic and family violence. " Violence is not confined to the battlefield ," he said in a statement and video in English with French, Arabic, Spanish, Chinese and Russian subtitles, recalling his recent call for a ceasefire. fire in all theaters of war to better fight the disease.

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“ Unfortunately, many women and girls are particularly vulnerable to violence precisely where they should be protected. In their own homes. This is why I am launching today a new call for peace at home, in homes, around the world (...) In recent weeks, as economic and social pressures have worsened. and as fear settled, the world experienced a horrific outbreak of domestic violence, "said the UN secretary-general.

" I urge all governments to take measures to prevent violence against women and to provide remedies for the victims as part of their national action plan against Covid-19, " he added. . In claiming that justice continues to prosecute the culprits, Antonio Guterres notably called for the establishment of " emergency alert systems in pharmacies and food stores ", the only signs to remain open in many countries. We must " ensure that women can ask for help in a safe way, without those who mistreat them realizing it, " he insisted.

According to the UN, which says that it is not able at this stage to quantify the number of women or girls undergoing family violence in the world because of confinement, one in three women experiences violence during their life. Today, with the pandemic, many women are trapped in their homes with their attackers and the phenomenon can affect all countries, note the United Nations.