We have all been overloaded with a constant flow of new information about the Covid-19 pandemic, whether it is the latest news about the virus, analysis of its implications for our future or advice from medical experts.
But one topic of pre-coronavirus relevance has been making headlines all over the world: domestic violence. Despite its pervasiveness, domestic violence is often taboo and the silence around it is one of the main reasons that it continues to shatter lives.
Unfortunately, it took a global health crisis to raise awareness and grab the world’s attention on this issue. In reality, domestic violence did not rise out of thin air with the onset of the pandemic. It was prevalent in our societies since before the days of the coronavirus. The outbreak has simply brought this hidden problem out into the open, or at least that is the case in Lebanon.
More than 30 per cent of all women in Lebanon have been subjected to some form of violence in their lifetimes. Getty
During times of crises, whether it be a natural disaster, an economic crash or a pandemic, gender-based violence – that is violence targeting women and girls – has a tendency to increase. The coronavirus pandemic is no different. In Lebanon, gender-based violence at home and in public spaces has been amplified not only by the nationwide lockdown but also because of the economic and banking crises that struck the country since November of last year.
These situations exacerbate ongoing problems within the household, and if a spouse or family member is prone to becoming violent, this tendency is only likely to increase as the family’s situation is pushed to the brink.
In five months, ABAAD’s emergency helplines have received the same number of calls as during the whole of 2019. ABAAD is an NGO that aims to end violence against women, and that I head. While this dramatic increase shows women are more prone to seek out our help during this difficult time, some callers have also been reaching out to us to seek advice, psychological or financial support, or simply to have someone to talk to.
Before the lockdown, ABAAD’s 24/7 helpline was mostly used to schedule appointments for face-to-face consultations and services, in addition to emergency calls from women in life-threatening situations due to violence. Today, the helpline has transformed into a means for vulnerable women to break the isolation they find themselves in and find a helping hand.
That is not to say that the lockdown did not lead to an increase in domestic abuse cases.The Interior Security Forces announced an increase of over 100 per cent in reported cases of domestic violence in Lebanon in March 2020, when a strict lockdown was enforced, compared to the same period last year.
But there has also been an increase in the severity of the violence that women are subjected to at home among emergency callers. At least two women who called us said they had received death threats from family members after showing flu-like symptoms consistent with coronavirus.
In five months, ABAAD's emergency helplines have received the same number of calls as during the whole of 2019
To understand this phenomenon, one must go back to pre-coronavirus days. Spouses and family members did not become violent towards women and children overnight with the lockdown. According to the UN, 33 per cent of women in Lebanon will experience at least one form of violence during their lifetime. Yet often, indications of violent behaviour are brushed off, or simply ignored. Our patriarchal societies tend to normalise aggressive male behaviours, and place the blame on the victim. The fact that the government has been slow to act, and that laws in place to protect women and children are rarely enforced, places an immense burden on women to deal with the violence and trauma on their own. Once couples and families are forced to live in self-isolation, they are also forced to live with the consequences of this long-standing issue.
To protect victims of violence and abuse in the household, all relevant stakeholders must pool their resources. Government entities, NGOs and international organisations such as the UN can work together to identify those who are at risk and provide them with shelter or relief.
Activists take part in a demonstration against sexual harassment, rape and domestic violence in Beirut. AFP
Realistic measures include allocating human and financial resources to existing structures that support victims of gender-based violence, as well as developing and promoting remote methods for reporting and counselling to protect victims from potential infection. Prevention, however, is key to helping reduce the number of girls and women subjected to violence. Unfortunately, economic and political hardship are likely to take a toll on Lebanese residents’ wellbeing, resulting in more violence or continued intensification of existing violence, as noted before.
Solving this issue requires a holistic solution that also provides both financial independence and legal protection to women trapped in abusive households. Those who commit crimes against women must be held accountable, and victims protected. We also need a cultural shift, to stop putting the blame on the victim and finding socially accepted justifications for the violence they endure.
Ghida Anani is the founder and director of ABAAD, a women's rights NGO
Sector/About: Entrupy is a hardware-enabled SaaS company whose mission is to protect businesses, borders and consumers from transactions involving counterfeit goods.
Initial investment/Investors: Entrupy secured a $2.6m Series A funding round in 2017. The round was led by Tokyo-based Digital Garage and Daiwa Securities Group's jointly established venture arm, DG Lab Fund I Investment Limited Partnership, along with Zach Coelius.
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A new relationship with the old country
Treaty of Friendship between the United Kingdom of Great Britain and Northern Ireland and the United Arab Emirates
The United kingdom of Great Britain and Northern Ireland and the United Arab Emirates; Considering that the United Arab Emirates has assumed full responsibility as a sovereign and independent State; Determined that the long-standing and traditional relations of close friendship and cooperation between their peoples shall continue; Desiring to give expression to this intention in the form of a Treaty Friendship; Have agreed as follows:
ARTICLE 1 The relations between the United Kingdom of Great Britain and Northern Ireland and the United Arab Emirates shall be governed by a spirit of close friendship. In recognition of this, the Contracting Parties, conscious of their common interest in the peace and stability of the region, shall: (a) consult together on matters of mutual concern in time of need; (b) settle all their disputes by peaceful means in conformity with the provisions of the Charter of the United Nations.
ARTICLE 2 The Contracting Parties shall encourage education, scientific and cultural cooperation between the two States in accordance with arrangements to be agreed. Such arrangements shall cover among other things: (a) the promotion of mutual understanding of their respective cultures, civilisations and languages, the promotion of contacts among professional bodies, universities and cultural institutions; (c) the encouragement of technical, scientific and cultural exchanges.
ARTICLE 3 The Contracting Parties shall maintain the close relationship already existing between them in the field of trade and commerce. Representatives of the Contracting Parties shall meet from time to time to consider means by which such relations can be further developed and strengthened, including the possibility of concluding treaties or agreements on matters of mutual concern.
ARTICLE 4 This Treaty shall enter into force on today’s date and shall remain in force for a period of ten years. Unless twelve months before the expiry of the said period of ten years either Contracting Party shall have given notice to the other of its intention to terminate the Treaty, this Treaty shall remain in force thereafter until the expiry of twelve months from the date on which notice of such intention is given.
IN WITNESS WHEREOF the undersigned have signed this Treaty.
DONE in duplicate at Dubai the second day of December 1971AD, corresponding to the fifteenth day of Shawwal 1391H, in the English and Arabic languages, both texts being equally authoritative.
2.30pm: Dubai Creek Tower – Handicap (PA) Dh40,000 (Dirt) 1,200m; Winner: Marmara Xm, Gary Sanchez (jockey), Abdelkhir Adam (trainer)
3pm: Al Yasmeen – Maiden (PA) Dh40,000 (D) 1,700m; Winner: AS Hajez, Jesus Rosales, Khalifa Al Neyadi
3.30pm: Al Ferdous – Maiden (PA) Dh40,000 (D) 1,700m; Winner: Soukainah, Sebastien Martino, Jean-Claude Pecout
4pm: The Crown Prince Of Sharjah – Prestige (PA) Dh200,000 (D) 1,200m; Winner: AF Thayer, Ray Dawson, Ernst Oertel
4.30pm: Sheikh Ahmed bin Rashid Al Maktoum Cup – Handicap (TB) Dh200,000 (D) 2,000m; Winner: George Villiers, Antonio Fresu, Bhupat Seemar
5pm: Palma Spring – Handicap (PA) Dh40,000 (D) 2,000m; Winner: Es Abu Mousa, Antonio Fresu, Abubakar Daud
Cricket World Cup League 2
UAE results Lost to Oman by eight runs Beat Namibia by three wickets Lost to Oman by 12 runs Beat Namibia by 43 runs
UAE fixtures Free admission. All fixtures broadcast live on icc.tv
Tuesday March 15, v PNG at Sharjah Cricket Stadium Friday March 18, v Nepal at Dubai International Stadium Saturday March 19, v PNG at Dubai International Stadium Monday March 21, v Nepal at Dubai International Stadium
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