#ActionsInformCulture Newsletter (04.15.20)

On April 5, UN Secretary-General António Guterres issued a powerful statement calling for governments, civil society, and individuals to keep up efforts to ensure the safety and well-being of women and girls everywhere: "For many women and girls, the threat looms largest where they should be safest: in their own homes."

Amidst the global pandemic, gender-based violence has made international news as a sort of "shadow pandemic." There has been an increase in domestic violence against women around the world, including China, Canada, the UK, and other nations.

While we are always committed to creating awareness of and preventing gender-based violence, we pay particular attention to it during the month of April in the United States, as it is National Sexual Assault Awareness and Prevention Month. The increase in gender violence around the world during the COVD-19 quarantine highlights the flaws of our belief systems everywhere. Shockingly, the 2020 UNDP Gender Social Norms Index showed that 28% of adults believe it is acceptable for a man to beat his wife. Our work here is clearly not done.

While there exists uncertainty about the world post-pandemic, we should all recognize the tremendous power we have in creating a culture that ensures safety, respect, and well-being for all. We can, and must, enact change at every level - individually, collectively, and systemically.

Despite physical distance, there are things we can do to support others during this time. We all have a role to play in ending gender-based violence. In addition to staying safe, times of crisis call on us to continue support and advocacy to the populations that are already vulnerable. Join us, and help us spread the message.