Addressing Gender Inequality and Violence: A Human Rights Crisis Exacerbated by COVID-19
This Human Rights Day (10 December), we must confront the global “shadow pandemic” of gender-based violence, a horrific violation of human rights that continues to be largely unchallenged. I urge all men, particularly those in positions of power, to take stronger action against this injustice.
Gender inequality remains the most pressing human rights issue of our time. While some progress has been made, the disparity is still vast. According to UN Women, only 26% of seats in national parliaments worldwide are held by women, and just 28% of managerial positions are occupied by them. Most shockingly, nearly one in three women have experienced gender-based violence during their lifetime.
The COVID-19 pandemic has only worsened this crisis. In the past year alone, UN Women estimates that 245 million women around the world have faced sexual or physical violence by an intimate partner.
