Webinar Logistics

• Type questions into the question feature throughout the presentation

• Moderator will pose your questions

• A recording of the presentation will be sent to all participants

Who We Are

Global Rights for Women works with leaders around the world to advance women and girls’ human right to live free from violence through legal reform and institutional and social change.

Global Women Fresh is committed to inspiring, connecting and empowering women within the fresh industry around the world.

Panelists

Kalliopi Mingierou, UN Women, New

York

Poonam Kathuria, Society for

Women’s Action and Training

Initiative-SWATI Gujurat,

India

Louise Clayette, Gender Analyst

International Development, UK

Lorena Muro, Conscious Business

Advisor and Sustainability

Strategist, Mama Pacha, Peru

Cheryl Thomas, Executive

Director, Global Rights for Women

Julie Escobar,Global Women

Fresh

Webinar GoalsIncrease participants’ knowledge about the global pandemic of violence against women and girls.

Expand participants understanding about the increased danger during COVID-19 isolation.

Offer participants information about promising workplace policies that can promote the rights of domestic violence victims.

The Global Pandemic of

Violence Against

Women and Girls

• Intimate partner violence is the most common form of violence; it affects 30% of women worldwide.

• Physical and sexual violence affects 62 million women in Europe.

• 1/3 of women in U.S. reported physical violence, rape or stalking by an intimate partner.

• 600 million women live in countries where domestic violence is not a crime

Workplace Impacts of Domestic Violence

• Global cost of Domestic Violence: 1.5 Trillion US$ (2016)

• Abusive partners often disrupt victim’s work and opportunities for advancement

• Domestic violence victims miss work due to violence, and due to controlling behaviors of abusers

• Abuse can impact victims’ performance and fulfillment at work

• In some cases, domestic abusers cause harm to victims’ co-workers (by-stander violence)

Why Should Employers Get Involved?

• International norms: the International Labor Organization Conventions No. 190 and the Istanbul Convention (Europe) recognize the role of employers in preventing and responding to domestic violence

• Employer “duty of care” to employees who are working remotely during COVID-19

• Employers’ unique level of contact with victims and ability to provide access to support

Domestic Violence

and COVID-19: A

Pandemic Within a

Pandemic

● Countries around the world have reported increases in domestic violence during lockdowns

● Recent study by United Nation Population Fund predicts 20% increase (15 million additional cases) of domestic violence in countries with 3-month lockdowns

● UN Sec. Gen. Antonio Guterres called for a “domestic violence ceasefire” in response to the “horrifying global surge” in DV

Regional Examples

France - 14 women have been killed during lockdown, 36% more DV complaints filed with police, 44% more interventions by police, 5 times more calls to DV shelters.

Argentina - 67% increase in calls to support hotline.

Cyprus - Calls to a government-run hotline rose by 30% after first case of coronavirus

Colombia - 130% increase in calls to national support hotline during the first 18 days of lockdown.

El Salvador - 70% increase in the number of women seeking support services.

Russia - DV reports to support services increased from 6,000 in March 2020 to over 13,000 in April 2020. However, police reports fell by 13% during lockdown.

Challenges for Victim Employees During COVID-19

• Increased isolation of victims/increased control by abusers

• No privacy – dangerous to call for help

• Challenges to work performance: Interruption of work by abusers, abusers’ refusal to help with childcare, etc.

• Inaccessibility of advocacy and court services

• Fear of contracting COVID-19 if the victim goes to a shelter or public place for help

• Economic pressures

Intersectional Oppression

During COVID-19

• Heightened risks of VAWG and COVID-19 exposure arise for women of color, migrant women, women with disabilities, and economically oppressed women:

• Limited access to technology

• Limited access to medical care

• Limited access to food, PPE and other basic needs

• Police discrimination and brutality and, in some communities, reduced police presence due to resulting civil unrest

• And much more.

Promising COVID-19 Strategies

• Use of social media to share safety information with victims

• Statements by leadership (Duluth, MN USA police)

• Increasing access to remote advocacy by providing mobile phones (Scotland)

• “Code Word” developed for women to disclose violence in grocery stores (France, Spain, UK)

• Use of hotels in lieu of shelters where necessary (many countries)

• Increased funding (EU, Spotlight Campaign) for DV services and response

• Hotline for Batterers (France)

Promising Strategies in the Workplace Pre-Covid19

• Raise awareness and communicate to all employees about resources available to support domestic violence victims

• Build relationships with local advocacy/support services

• Employer multidisciplinary response teams (human resources, legal, security, union, Employee Assistance Program)

• Assess the security/safety of the workplace

• Employer policy to support employee victims

• City-wide policy (ex. Minneapolis Sick and Safe Time)

Strategies in the Workplace During Isolation

• Adapt existing policies and support services to COVID-19

• Provide equipment such as phone and computer so that employees do not have to use household devices to communicate with employers

• Develop and communicate company-wide, confidential method for employees to each out to employers if they are being abused

• Make clear employees will not face reprisals for seeking help

• Offer paid leave for employees experiencing abuse

• Provide COVID-19 specific information about support/referral services

What can you do next?

Review workplace policies Review

Develop alliances with local women’s organizations working on domestic violence

Develop

Connect with panelists to learn more and request a workshop for your company

Connect