Postcards: “Hey Bro” – New Zealand abusers turn activists to stop domestic violence
PREETI KANNAN, of Thomson Reuters Foundation, reports on how New Zealand is grappling with the issue of domestic violence…
Hundreds of girls, women have disappeared during pandemic in Peru
Bogota, ColombiaThomson Reuters Foundation More than 900 women and girls have gone missing in Peru during its coronavirus lockdown, a top women’s rights official said on Tuesday, calling for the creation of a national missing persons register to addressing the “alarming” number of disappearances. Records must be kept to track those who go missing, whether […]
Poles split over government plan to exit domestic violence treaty
Warsaw, PolandAP Poles are bitterly divided over steps being taken by the right-wing government to leave a European treaty against domestic violence, claiming it promotes gender “ideology” and links violence to religion. Justice Minister Zbigniew Ziobro said Monday he has formally asked the Ministry of Family to start preparations for Poland’s exit from the Istanbul […]
COVID-19 highlights need for companies to protect domestic abuse victims
London, UKThomson Reuters Foundation The global surge in domestic violence during coronavirus lockdowns highlights the need for companies to do more to protect victims and help them get their lives back on track, experts on the issue said on Thursday. Companies should offer women facing domestic abuse flexible working, extra leave so they can move […]
Rising violence against women in Latin America confirms fears of abuses in lockdowns
Mexico City, MexicoThomson Reuters Foundation Violence against women has soared in Latin America during the coronavirus pandemic, with a 50 per cent increase in domestic abuse reports in Colombia alone, a top aid group said on Tuesday, confirming fears that lockdowns would put many women in danger. Femicide, the murder of women because of gender, […]
Mexico walks back campaign against domestic violence after backlash
Mexico City, MexicoThomson Reuters Foundation A top Mexican official on Wednesday said a new campaign against domestic violence would be revised after the video ads sparked strong public opposition from critics who claimed it misrepresented the growing problem. The initial campaign showed images of men and children, but no women, as potential victims, and one woman […]
Iraq’s stalled domestic violence bill may be revived by new government
Amman, JordanThomson Reuters Foundation Fears of increased domestic violence during Iraq’s coronavirus lockdown will spur the new government to push through long-stalled legislation to protect victims, the head of the cabinet’s women’s rights department said on Monday. Campaigners and UN agencies have stepped up demands for the law to be passed following the highly publicised […]
Coronavirus to have “catastrophic” impact on women with domestic abuse up 20 per cent
London, UK/New York City, USThomson Reuters Foundation The coronavirus lockdown could lead to a 20 per cent surge in domestic violence as victims remain trapped at home with their abusers, the United Nations predicted on Tuesday, warning the pandemic will have a “catastrophic impact” on women. Tens of millions of women may be unable to […]
Bogota’s supermarkets become safe spaces for women to report abuse
Bogota, ColombiaThomson Reuters Foundation Women in Colombia’s capital city facing domestic abuse can seek help in hundreds of supermarkets and pharmacies as part of a new campaign launched on Wednesday to tackle the rise in gender violence under the coronavirus lockdown. The program involves more than 630 supermarkets from three different chains and the Farmatodo […]
Coronavirus codewords: help or hindrance in domestic abuse?
London, UK/Barcelona, SpainThomson Reuters Foundation Victims of domestic abuse can use codewords at the pharmacy to summon police help in the global lockdown but support groups are divided as to whether the new schemes are a help or hindrance. As violence at home surges under COVID-19 lockdowns, codeword projects are operating from Argentina to Italy, […]