On the International Day for the Elimination of Violence Against Women, here are four gender-based issues that Lebanese authorities urgently need to address :
- Women have increasingly become victims of gender-based violence
The COVID-19 lockdowns in Lebanon have trapped women at home with their abusers. A recent survey, conducted by the Inter-agency SGBV Task Force Assessment, showed that up to 54 percent of the respondents noted an increase of harassment, violence, or abuse of women in their families or communities. 562 women and girls across Lebanon were surveyed.
KAFA, a local feminist organisation looking to advance women’s rights by changing laws and spreading awareness, also reported a significant Increase in the number of calls received to their domestic violence hotline during the early days of the COVID-19 lockdown in Lebanon.