November 25, 2021
2 mins read

‘Covid caused rise in violence against women’

About a quarter of women were feeling less safe at home while existing conflict increased within households since the pandemic started, said report…reports Asian Lite News

 A new report of UN Women has highlighted the impact of Covid-19 on women’s safety at home and in public spaces.

Almost half of women reported that they or a woman they knew experienced a form of violence since the start of the Covid-19 pandemic, Xinhua news agency reported, citing the report titled as “Measuring the shadow pandemic: Violence against women during Covid-19” – which is based on survey data from 13 countries.

About a quarter of women were feeling less safe at home while existing conflict increased within households since the pandemic started, according to the report, released on the eve of the International Day for the Elimination of Violence Against Women, which falls on November 25.

When women were asked why they felt unsafe at home, they cited physical abuse as one of the reasons (21 per cent). Some women specifically reported that they were hurt by other family members (21 per cent) or that other women in the household were being hurt (19 per cent).

Outside their homes, women were also feeling more exposed to violence, with 40 per cent of respondents saying they felt less safe walking around alone at night since the onset of Covid-19. About 3 in 5 women also thought that sexual harassment in public spaces worsened during Covid-19.

Socio-economic stress factors such as financial pressure, unemployment, food insecurity and tense family relations stood out as having a significant impact not only on experiences of safety (or violence), but also on women’s well-being overall.

“Violence against women is an existing global crisis that thrives on other crises. Conflict, climate-related natural disasters, food insecurity and human rights violations all contribute to women and girls living with a sense of danger, even in their own homes, neighborhoods, or communities,” said UN Women Executive Director Sima Bahous in a press release.

“The Covid-19 pandemic, which necessitated isolation and social distancing, enabled a second, shadow pandemic of violence against women and girls, where they often found themselves in lockdown with their abusers. Our new data underlines the urgency of concerted efforts to end this.”

ALSO READ: Taliban ban Afghan women anchors

Previous Story

India, US reach deal on ‘Equalisation Levy’

Next Story

ITC launches first self-driving taxi in Abu Dhabi

Latest from -Top News

UNSC Grills Pakistan Over Pahalgam Attack

Though Pakistan claimed that the meeting largely served and achieved the objectives of the UNSC’s meeting, reports showed that it flopped miserably…reports Asian Lite News The United Nations Security Council (UNSC) reportedly

Pakistan’s Terror Link “No Secret”: Bilawal Bhutto

Zardari stated that Pakistan’s intelligence services have since changed course and no longer collaborate with extremist elements..reports Asian Lite News Bilawal Bhutto Zardari, former Foreign Minister of Pakistan, has openly acknowledged Pakistan’s

Islamists Rise Under Yunus Rule

After the departure of former Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina in August 2024, Islamic parties in Bangladesh, crushed for years by the Awami League government, have made inroads into the political arena…writes Baidya
Go toTop

Don't Miss

Bangkok cancels New Year countdown events amid fear of Omicron

The Bangkok Metropolitan Administration (BMA) has announced that it will

Drought is next in line after Covid-19

A common scientific theory opines that changing rainfall patterns as