Human rights
Violence against women (VAW) is defined as “any act of gender-based violence that results in, or is likely to result in physical, sexual, or psychological harm or suffering to women, including threats of such acts, coercion or arbitrary deprivation of liberty, whether occurring in public or private life”.2 It has been identified as the most pervasive human rights violation in the world, and it is estimated to cost countries up to 3.7% of their GDP – more than double what most governments spe
The COVID19 pandemic has caused devastating disruptions the world over. The impact will continue to be felt by all, albeit in varying degrees.
In Uganda, government is unable to squarely deal with the effects; especially for its vulnerable population, including women, girls and persons with disabilities.
The pandemic is responsible for excessive mortality rates globally.
In Albania, the COVID-19 pandemic is treated as a national (public) security threat, as it poses risks to the security and wellbeing of the population. This pandemic has demonstrated that the scope of what is understood to be included in national security must be expanded to encompass wider security threats such as environmental and global public health crises.
Women’s rights are human rights. However, the legal protection of these rights is not guaranteed in all parts of the world. Even where anti-violence laws do exist, they can be poorly resourced and enforced, inhibiting the rights of women to live free from violence. That’s why WFD has worked with SafeLives to produce a report on effective policymaking to end gender-based violence.
Human rights violators should be scared. More and more democratic countries are holding them individually accountable for their crimes and are issuing individual so-called ‘Magnitsky Sanctions’ to target them where it hurts most: their pockets and their freedom to travel.