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Violence against women: COVID-19 breakout sees surge in domestic violence both here and globally
One in four women–or 24.9% of the Sri Lankan population–have experienced physical or sexual violence since the age of 15, a survey conducted by the Department of Census and Statistics (DCS) in 2019 revealed.
It was also discovered that close to half, or 49.3% of the affected women, did not seek formal help.
The survey was conducted with the assistance of the United Nations Population Fund (UNFPA) and the Canadian Government.
Until 2020, the National Commission on Women (NCW) had received around 1,000 complaints annually, a forum against gender-based violence held on Thursday revealed.
After the breakout of COVID-19, however, the number of complaints increased to 100-200 a day, with more than 70% of complaints on domestic violence, and 15% of complaints on rape, cyber-violence and family disputes.
On Thursday, Colombo Town Hall was lit up with orange lights to mark International Day for the Elimination of Violence against Women.
The UN has declared November 25 – December 10 as 16 days of activism against violence against women and girls.
It is an annual event held to create awareness and to work towards the prevention and elimination of violence against women.
World Health Organisation data from 2018 shows that one in three women worldwide had been subjected to physical or sexual violence by an intimate partner or non-partner.
The organisation also revealed that globally more than 130 women were also killed by an intimate partner or a family member. It was also estimated that one in seven women had experienced physical or sexual violence within the last 12 months from an intimate partner.
However, these statistics did not reflect the impact of the pandemic and a surge of domestic violence had been reported globally. According to UN data, helpline calls had increased by five times as reported partner violence rose. Ongoing crises including wars and natural disasters too, had increased the risks women face daily.
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