On Twitter, Guterres posted that it is the time to redouble efforts to all together eliminate VAW by 2030.

New data showed that in 13 countries, two out of three women reported experienced some form of violence during the Covid-19 pandemic, Guterres noted.

But VAW is not inevitable, it can and must be prevented, Guterres stressed on Twitter and shared a video message ahead of the International Day for the Elimination of Violence against Women.

In the midst of the Covid-19 pandemic, women faced an increased gender-based violence, often at their own homes, according to a recent UN Women report.

The effects of the pandemic have had a negative impact on gender-based equality objectives and with special force on women living in conflict-affected regions.

In addition, women continue to be underrepresented in decision-making about the response to the health crisis and were more affected by unemployment, poverty and gender-based violence during lockdowns and other restrictions as a result of the pandemic.

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