Virus traps victims with abusers
COVID-19 has led to a steep increase in violence against women and girls and greater risk of them falling into poverty, says Women, Children and Poverty Alleviation Minister Mereseini Vuniwaqa.
She highlighted this during the recent Women in Leadership 2020 series discussion titled “women during COVID-19” held at the University of the South Pacific.
“With lockdown measures in place, many women are trapped at home with their abusers, struggling to access services that are suffering from cuts and restrictions,” Mrs Vuniwaqa said.
“Emerging data shows that since the outbreak of the pandemic, violence against women and girls — and particularly domestic violence — has intensified.”
Mrs Vuniwaqa said women played a disproportionate role in responding to the virus, including as frontline healthcare workers and carers at home.
“Women’s unpaid care work has increased significantly as a result of school closures and the increased needs of older people.
“Women are also harder hit by the economic impacts of COVID-19 as they disproportionately work insecure labour markets.”
She said about 60 per cent of women worked in informal economy which put them at greater risk of falling into poverty.
“The disproportionate implications of COVID-19 on our women not only requires that the interest of women be prioritised in our recovery efforts, but also demands leaders to represent the women populations in decision-making more effectively than ever before,” Mrs Vuniwaqa said.