UN chief urges governments to protect women during virus bans
United Nations:
UN Secretary-General Antonio Guterres urges governments around the world to include the protection of women in their response to the deadly novel coronavirus pandemic.
"Violence is not limited to the battlefield," Guterres said in a statement and video that was published in several languages. This is reminiscent of his call for an armistice in conflicts worldwide to address the COVID-19 pandemic.
"For many women and girls, the greatest threat is where they should be safest. Within their own four walls," said Guterres.
"In the past few weeks, as economic and social pressures and anxiety have increased, we have seen a terrible global increase in domestic violence.
"I urge all governments to make preventing and combating violence against women an important part of their national response plans for COVID-19," he said.
Guterres called for the establishment of emergency warning systems in pharmacies and foodstuffs and safe ways "so that women can seek support without alerting their perpetrators."
"Together, we can and must prevent violence anywhere, from war zones to people's homes, as we work to defeat COVID-19," he said, calling for "peace at home – and at home – around the world."
(Except for the headline, this story was not edited by NDTV staff and published from a syndicated feed.)
