UN chief António Guterres is calling for measures to address domestic violence directed towards women and girls, linked to the lockdowns imposed by governments responding to the COVID-19 pandemic.
“Peace is not just the absence of war. Many women under lockdown for COVID19 face violence where they should be safest in their own homes.” he tweeted.
“I urge all governments to put women’s safety first as they respond to the pandemic”, Guterres added.
In Libya, domestic violence is a common occurrence against women and girls, with little to no action by the government to protect them.
On April 2nd, a husband shot his wife, after a quarrel between them, in the al-Sarraj district of Tripoli. Another case of a young girl murdered by her father was reported, as well as that of a woman being murdered by her husband.