It is not possible to overstate the urgency of this year’s UN International Day for the Elimination of Violence Against Women.  Emerging data has brought to light a “shadow pandemic” of intensified violence against women and girls since the outbreak of COVID-19.

“As COVID-19 cases continue to strain health services, essential services —  such as domestic violence shelters and helplines — have reached capacity,” reports an article on the UN’s website for this year’s observances: https://www.un.org/en/observances/ending-violence-against-women-day.

In its report, “Women, Business and the Law 2020,” the World Bank Group states that at least 155 countries have passed laws on domestic violence, and 140 have laws on sexual harassment in the workplace. However, according to a statement by UN Women, “Even when laws exist, this does not mean they are always compliant with international standards and recommendations, or are implemented and enforced.” Facts and figures: Ending violence against women | What we do | UN Women – Headquarters

The theme for this year’s International Day for the Elimination of Violence against Women is “Orange the World: Fund, Respond, Prevent, Collect!” This day will mark the launch of 16 days of activism that will conclude on 10 December 2020, UN International Human Rights Day. Individuals are invited to participate in these 16 days of activism in person or on social media by using the official materials: https://trello.com/b/2n3wcRVJ/16-days-of-activism-2020.

UNWomen, 2021