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the provision of basic healthcare to all individuals and resourcing and funding to organisations supporting victims,
communities free of charge at the point of delivery. All so they can upscale operations and continue providing
evidence points to a clear link between weak health systems services in a safe manner. Other useful innovations such as
and vulnerabilities to domestic violence. So urgent action virtual hearings and legal advice, are allowing survivors to
needs to be taken to ensure that during this COVID-19 continue to access justice.
pandemic victims of abuse are able to access the healthcare
they need, including mental health services. What is clear from my meetings with officials and
development leaders is the immense urgency of taking action
It is also key that post COVID-19 strategies include dedicated to protect women and girls who are being abused, isolated,
funding and support for micro, small and medium sized punched, kicked and even killed in their homes.
businesses and the informal sector, which are predominantly Sadly, children living in violent homes not only witness
led by women - many of whom need the assurance of violence but may themselves suffer abuse. Violence in the
financial independence to escape from dangerous domestic home is one of the most pervasive human rights challenges
situations. of our time. So, the Commonwealth collectively stands ready
to bring the power of its advocacy and support to the planned
I would lay particular emphasis on the importance at present UN Declaration on Women and COVID-19.
of creating opportunities through virtual meetings and
seminars for Commonwealth countries share knowledge, We are increasing our ongoing advocacy through a range
resources and experience on how best to navigate through of initiatives, including creating a strong economic case
the rapidly evolving processes and circumstances within for addressing gender-based violence by identifying the
which we now operate. It is encouraging, in this regard, that significant economic costs if we fail to act. Research from
throughout the Commonwealth we already see evidence of the Commonwealth project, The Economic Cost of Violence
renewed commitment and action to end violence against against Women and Girls in The Seychelles, carried out
women and girls. in 2019 before the pandemic, shows that gender-based
violence leads to estimated costs of 4.625 per cent of GDP.
Much is being done in our member countries to keep domestic
violence refuges open during the outbreak. There are also We will also hold a virtual follow up session to the Women
examples of innovative partnerships with businesses and Affairs Ministerial Meeting that was held last September, to
organisations to provide alternative locations for victims to set out an action plan to support women and girls during the
use as shelters. COVID-19 crisis, because we simply cannot allow victims of
domestic abuse and gender-based violence to feel trapped
Some governments have been able to provide additional and helpless during this hidden parallel pandemic. q

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