NO MORE Foundation and the Commonwealth Secretariat have launched the ‘Commonwealth Says NO MORE’ campaign to help tackle the problem of domestic and sexual violence (DSV).
The launch, which was held at a special virtual event, was attended by government officials and human rights campaigners from across the Commonwealth.
Activists and authorities have reported an increase in domestic and sexual violence due to the crisis caused by the Covid-19 pandemic.
The ‘Commonwealth Says NO MORE’ campaign was launched at a time when organisations across the world have seen calls to hotlines for victims of abuse and demand for support services rise from between 25 and 300 percent during Covid-19 lockdowns.
As part of the initiative, leaders, celebrities and individuals globally are taking the ‘Commonwealth Says NO MORE’ pledge towards ending domestic and sexual violence.
They include UN Deputy Secretary-General, Amina Mohammed, Ghanaian actress Joselyn Dumas, Indian actress and advocate for women’s rights Shabana Azmi, Pakistani actress Mahira Khan, British actor Colin Salmon, and Australia actor Ryan Johnson.
It was noted that ahead of the launch, many people had shared video messages endorsing the effort and encouraging other people across the 54 Commonwealth countries to get involved.
‘It is indisputable that while the virus will pass one day, for many women, the ever-present threat of violence will remain’, Commonwealth Secretary-General Patricia Scotland said.
‘Covid has emphatically exposed just how urgently we need a cure to flatten the rising curve of domestic and sexual violence…That is why we are announcing this first-of-its-kind portal, offering an impressive array of expert resources and tools to support concerted action by everyone from governments to private individuals.
‘We need to say NO MORE because if we do not have peace in our homes we will never have peace in our world’.
Similarly, the Executive Director of NO MORE Global, Pamela Zaballa, said, ‘We are excited to take the NO MORE message throughout the Commonwealth.
‘The portal is an important first step in bringing governments and civil society together to end domestic and sexual violence.
‘If we can all commit to speaking out and taking action, we will be able to see real progress in a generation’.
Source: Africa News
Photo source: NO MORE
