Answer to Question #200513 in Sociology for Nana

Question

“With 90 countries in lockdown, four billion people are now sheltering at home from the global contagion of COVID-19. It’s a protective measure, but it brings another deadly danger. We see a shadow pandemic growing, of violence against women”. The statement above was made by Phumzile Mlambo-Ngcuka, Executive Director of UN Women, on Monday, April 6, 2020. Discuss the statement in the light of your knowledge of violence and abuse in relationships. 

Answer 1

As more countries report infection and lockdown, more domestic violence helplines and shelters across the world are reporting rising calls for help. In Argentina, Canada, France, Germany, Spain, the United Kingdom [1], and the United States , government authorities, women’s rights activists and civil society partners have flagged increasing reports of domestic violence during the crisis, and heightened demand for emergency shelter. Helplines in Singapore [6] and Cyprus have registered an increase in calls by more than 30 per cent. In Australia, 40 per cent of frontline workers in a New South Wales survey reported increased requests for help with violence that was escalating in intensity