More than 120 000 victims rang the national helpline for abused women and children in the first three weeks after the South African lockdown started on 27 March. The UN agency for sexual and reproductive health (UNFPA) has estimated that there would be 31 million more cases of domestic violence worldwide if lockdowns continue for another six months.
Phumzile Mlambo-Ngcuka, UN Women Executive Director said this brings forward a new danger, a shadow pandemic of violence against women. The UN is calling for governments across the world to increase support for victims.
“It is important for governments to make the prevention and redress of violence against women and children a key part of their national response plans for Covid-19. Shelters and helplines for women must be considered an essential service for every country with specific funding and broad efforts made to increase awareness about their availability,” said Mlambo-Ngcuka.
President Cyril Ramaphosa has condemned the surge in domestic violence “during a time of much difficulty for our country. It is disturbing that… women and girls are being terrorized inside their own homes, forcing them to make desperate calls for help,” said Ramaphosa.
During the first week of lockdown in South Africa, 2 300 cases of gender-based violence were laid with the police and as the lockdown continues, gender-based violence activists have ramped up their efforts. As the lockdown continues, gender-based violence activists have ramped up their efforts.
This includes the Award-winning South African and American actress, Charlize Theron who launched the #TogetherForHer campaign to make sure that women and children remain safe during lockdowns in the United States (US) and Africa.
According to Theron, “During this unprecedented global crisis, we are being told to shelter in the safety of our homes – but what if our homes aren’t safe? For the millions of women and children around the world sheltering with their abuser, home can be dangerous. That’s why in support of the global fight against domestic violence during the #Covid19 crisis, @ctaop and I are joining forces with CARE and the Entertainment Industry Foundation”.
Over the years, Theron has been outspoken about her experience of domestic violence as a teenager, where she was threatened by her alcoholic father who physically attacked her Mother Gerda and fired a gun at both of them. They were saved by Gerda (Theron’s Mother), who used self-defence to protect herself and her daughter.
This haunting memory has served as the catalyst for Theron’s efforts to assist women in similar abusive situations. Through Theron’s outreach project, R18.9 million has already been donated to the Covid-19 global crisis with R9.4 million going to the non-profit organisation CARE and Entertainment Industry Foundation to fight domestic violence.
Theron revealed on her Twitter account that more than 50 female celebrities, ranging from actress Reese Witherspoon to soccer player Megan Rapinoe, have joined her #TogetherForHer campaign. “[One in three] women will experience gender-based violence in their lifetime. In the past year, 243 million women & girls have. Humanitarian crises like #Covid19 only make this worse. I’m so proud that these exceptional, powerhouse women heard my rallying cry and are uniting as one.” Theron tweeted.
“My team is committing $1 million to Covid relief efforts, with $500 000 specifically designated towards our #TogetherForHer campaign, supporting women against domestic violence through the provision of funds and resources to trusted domestic violence shelters around the world. Please join us in showing women experiencing domestic violence that they are not alone – we are behind them, with them, for them, #TogetherForHer.”
Victims of GBV can call the GBV Command Centre toll-free number: 0800 428 428 or SMS ‘help’ to 31531 or send a please call me to *120*7867# in order to receive assistance.
