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Published: Wednesday, 25 November 2020 07:30

Today, 25 November, is annual United Nations International Day for the Elimination of Violence Against Women.

Coming at the end of a year of global pandemic, the 2020 day takes on special significance as we seek to tackle a problem exacerbated by the challenges of living with COVID-19 in our midst. The 2020 theme is: Orange the World: Respond, Fund, Prevent, Collect. 

Bridge Housing strongly supports this day and its goal to eliminate violence against women and girls wherever and whenever it occurs: in the home, in the workplace, where we spend our leisure time and in the wider community.

Those at the frontline of dealing with domestic violence are calling the violence against women and girls during 2020 the Shadow Pandemic. As COVID-19 cases continue to strain health services, essential services, such as domestic violence shelters and helplines, have reached capacity. More needs to be done to prioritize addressing violence against women in COVID-19 response and recovery efforts.

Violence against women and girls is one of the most widespread, persistent and devastating human rights violations in our world today remains largely unreported due to the impunity, silence, stigma and shame surrounding it.

Bridge Housing has developed a domestic violence policy, developed and overseen by our Board Human Resources, Remuneration and Marketing Committee, to ensure our organisation practices zero tolerance for violence against women and girls, and feels a safe place for our staff and visitors.

Learn more about International Day for the Elimination of Violence Against Women.