Lockdown 2.0 : why are we still tolerating violence against Women?

‘England lockdown: How to exercise safely’ was the headline of an article published two weeks ago by the BBC, three days into England’s second national lockdown since the Covid-19 pandemic began.

The article encourages the importance of outdoor activity during this timeframe, and highlights that this may be more difficult for marginalised groups of society such as those that identify as women and BAME, due to the risk of violence the Winter and the dark brings. The focus is backwards - heavily weighted on victims protecting themselves from attack, rather than tackling the actual problem at hand, soaring rates of violence against women.

The 25th November marks the international day for the Elimination of violence against Women. The statistics are alarming. The UN for Women states as a result of the Covid-19 pandemic alone, calls to domestic abuse helplines are five times what they were previously. Restricted movement, periods of government controlled social isolation, and economic insecurity are increasing women's vulnerability to violence in the home.

In publishing this article, it sends a rather clear statement that violence against women is not only something people have to unwillingly tolerate, it is to be accepted. The question at hand; what will it take for the narrative to change and the focus to be on the perpetrators?

Women’s rights activists have observed the 25th November as the day against gender based violence…