Since the occurrence of Coronavirus about a year back, initial data and reports from those on the front lines have shown that violence against women and girls, predominantly domestic violence, has increased.

November 25 is recognized as the International Day for the Elimination of Violence Against Women. The day raises awareness on the fact that women around the world are subject to rape, domestic violence and other forms of violence.

This year’s UN theme for the International Day for the Elimination of Violence against Women is Collect! Like in previous years, this year's International Day will mark the launch of 16 days of activism that will conclude on 10 December 2020, which is International Human Rights Day.

TheUN Secretary-General's UNiTE to End Violence against Women campaign, a multi-year effort aimed at preventing and eliminating violence against women and girls, will amplify the call for global action to bridge funding gaps, ensure essential services for survivors of violence during the Covid-19 crisis, focus on prevention and collection of data that can improve life-saving services for women and girls.

While gender-based violence can happen to anyone, anywhere, some women and girls are particularly vulnerable – for instance, young girls and older women, women who identify as lesbian, bisexual, transgender or intersex, migrants and refugees, indigenous women and ethnic minorities, or women and girls living with HIV and disabilities, and those living in the midst of ongoing humanitarian crises.

Violence against women continues to be an obstacle to achieving equality, development, peace as well as to the fulfillment of human rights for women and girls’. Also, the promise of the Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs) – to leave no one behind – cannot be fulfilled without putting an end to violence against women and girls.

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