The Universal Peace Federation UK convenes its annual commemoration of “United Nations International Day of Elimination of Violence Against Women and Girls” -(#EVAWG) under the 2020 global theme: "Orange the World: Fund, Respond, Prevent, Collect!" The UN System’s 16 Days of Activism against Gender-Based Violence activities occur from 25 November to 10 December. Video Link

Chaired by Margaret Keverian Ali – Director, UK UPF

• Opening remarks given by:

• Carole Stone CBE: UPF Patron 

• Panel of speakers:

• Baroness Sandip Verma: Former Equalities Spokesperson & Chair of UN Women UK.
• Shaun Bailey MP: Conservative MP for West Bromwich West.
• Marie Hanson MBE: Founder & President of Domestic Violence Charity, STORM.
• Pamela Zaballa: Global Executive Director of NO MORE.  
• Chris Green OBE: Founder, White Ribbon Organisation, previously member of task force in EU Council for ending EVAW.
• Madi Sharma: Survivor! Successful Entrepreneur and Founder Madi Group.

• Closing remarks given by Robin Marsh -  Secretary General of UPF - UK 

As the world retreats inside houses due to the lockdown measures introduced to curb the COVID-19 pandemic, reports from around the world showed an alarming increase in the already existing pandemic of violence against women. “Accompanying the crisis has been a spike in domestic violence reporting, at exactly the time that services, including rule of law, health and shelters, are being diverted to address the pandemic,” said the UN Secretary-General's report “Shared Responsibility, Global Solidarity: Responding to the socio-economic impacts of COVID-19". Globally, statistics show that 1 in 3 women experienced physical or sexual violence prior to the pandemic and now it is estimated cases have increased by more than 20% during the first lockdown.