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The COVID-19 Shadow Pandemic: Domestic Violence in the World
The unprecedented increase in domestic violence since the onset of the COVID-19 pandemic marks an urgent call for action for the private sector to leverage their existing resources and influence to keep women safe at home and safe at work. Employers have a ‘duty of care’ to their employees working remotely from home and are in a good position to support those who may be affected by domestic violence. Many employers recognize their role and have been doing their part prior to and during COVID-19, and the importance of creating a safe and supportive working environment for survivors of domestic violence. An important element of this, reflected in the Women’s Empowerment Principles (WEPs) framework, is the broader promotion of gender equality and women’s empowerment in the world of work.This brief explains how are companies responding to the problem during the COVID-19 crisis and provides recommendations for companies on what are the immediate and long-term measures could be taken. Early intervention is essential to enable a survivor to stay in her job and to live independently. This includes carrying out prevention, risk assessments and safety planning in the workplace; offering information and workplace support to survivors of domestic violence; ensuring that managers recognize the signs of violence against women and provide workplace supports such as paid leave and security measures; creating a workplace culture where survivors can disclose domestic violence and stay safely in their jobs; and engaging in wider corporate awareness raising, funding and influence to ensure services meet the needs of survivors of domestic violence.Resource Information
- Publisher: WE EMPOWER G7 Programme 2020
Moroccan TV Show Teaches Women To Cover Up Domestic Violence Bruises With Makeup
A state-owned Moroccan TV channel aired a segment on Wednesday teaching women how to cover their domestic violence bruises with makeup.
According to CNN, the 2M TV segment used makeup to create the bruising on the eyes and cheeks of a model, which was then covered up with concealer in the demonstration.
“It’s a painful and sorrowful topic, but on the occasion of the International Day for the Elimination of Violence Against Women, we will show you the makeup [to cover the signs] of beatings,” the makeup artist says in the segment. “It is a topic we lack the courage to discuss.”
The on-air demonstration drew harsh criticism from domestic violence activists, many saying it normalized domestic violence.
Domestic violence is not considered a crime in Morocco and CNN reports that in a government survey conducted in 2009-2010, two-thirds of Moroccan women had experienced physical, psychological, sexual or economic violence.
In July, a bill criminalizing domestic violence was passed by the first chamber of parliament but because of the country’s general election last month, the bill has yet to be reviewed by the second chamber of parliament.
The group “Concerned Moroccan Citizens” created a petition stating, “As Moroccan women and as feminist activists in Morocco, and in the name of all Moroccan people, we denounce the message of normalization with violence against women. We demand severe sanctions against this show, ‘Sabahiyat,’ and the channel 2M.”
“Do not cover domestic violence with makeup, condemn the aggressor,” the petition also states.
In an effort to apologize for the offensive segment, the channel removed the clip from its website and issued a statement claiming the segment was “inappropriate, an editorial error of judgment and in violation of its policy of 27 years that advocated for women’s rights.”
The channel’s apology did little to stifle the outrage on social media over the segment.
Moroccan politician Saadiya Elbahi took to her Facebook to express her disapproval of the video
“The media attacks the core of all plans to combat violence against women,” she wrote. “It normalizes violence against women, legitimizes it and covers it with makeup.”
As of Tuesday, the petition has just over 2,000 of the 5,000 signatures needed
Read more: http://dailycaller.com/2016/11/29/moroccan-tv-show-teaches-women-to-cover-up-domestic-violence-bruises-with-makeup/#ixzz4ZKy3t35Q
Published in News February 21st, 2017 by Laura Lucy
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