In the past few years, the pandemic has brought many challenges upon us, one of them being increased domestic violence against women.

According to a United Nations article, since the outbreak of COVID-19, emerging data and reports from those on the front lines have shown that all types of violence against women and girls, particularly domestic violence, has intensified. As the cases of COVID-19 have climbed dramatically, domestic violence shelters have started to reach full capacity.

Unfortunately, the pandemic caused the domestic violence issue to become secondary in the world.

According to the United Nations article, as countries implemented lockdown measures to stop the spread of the coronavirus, violence against women, especially domestic violence, intensified – in some countries, calls to helplines have increased up to five times. On May 27, 2020, women of the United Nations launched “The Shadow Pandemic Campaign.”

According to a United Nations article, “The Shadow Pandemic Campaign” is a sixty second film that shows the horrors of domestic violence that women around the world face every day. The video displays domestic violence that 14 women around the world are subjected to.

The video also highlights the alarming upsurge in domestic violence during COVID-19 and urges people to act if they know or suspect someone is experiencing violence.

“This is a critical time for action to put the safety of the women around the world and give them shelter and support. The violence does not stop when women go back to work,” said Phumzile Mlambo-Ngcuka, Executive Director of UN Women.

According to a United Nations article, in New South Wales, Australia, 40 percent of front-line workers in a survey reported increased requests for help with violence that was escalating in intensity and complexity.

Emergency calls for domestic violence cases in Argentina have increased by 25 percent since the lockdown began. Helplines in Singapore and Cyprus have registered an increase in calls of more than 30 percent. In the U.S., the National Domestic Violence Hotline reported a rising number of victims who reached out via text or phone.

During lockdown, women were trapped with their abusers; they were isolated from people and resources that could help them.

The End To Violence Against Women campaign aims at preventing and eliminating violence against women and girls. The campaign is an attempt to bring global action in helping domestic violence survivors and preventing the action of abuse as well.

Every year on Nov. 25, the International Day for Elimination of Violence Against Women is observed. People spread awareness for this cause every year on this day, and every year has a theme.

This year’s theme for the International Day for the Elimination of Violence against Women is “Orange the World: Fund, Respond, Prevent, Collect!”.

Much like in years past, this year’s international day begins the 16 days of activism. These 16 days will end Dec. 10, which is International Human Rights Day. People need to take action now and help others while they can because the virus does not last forever, but the pain these women face on a daily basis will stay with them forever.

To learn more about the International Day for Elimination of Violence Against Women, visit https://www.un.org/en/observances/ending-violence-against-women-day and https://www.unfpa.org/events/international-day-elimination-violence-against-women-2021.