STOP Corona = VAW Pandemic!!!

As the world reels under the pandemic spread of Corona virus, the mobile phones are buzzing with advisories and exchange of information among  the 7.7 Billion people of   planet earth. The virus has become a global threat to human beings, their survival and very  existence on planet earth. It appears that the world has united politically, socially and otherwise to self educate and  inform others of prevention and possible cure.The day is not far when collective wisdom followed by collective action  would get us, the human beings, tide over the threat of Corona virus.

Bringing diverse communities  for a collective fight against the common enemy has been facilitated by the use of mobile phone technology. The whooping more than 5 Billion mobile phone users, across the world, have  mobilized people against the onslaught of Corona virus. The result - Today, we are all  getting aware and informed on How to prevent the spread of Corona virus!! I am happy that we are today, together in the time of virus calamity irrespective of caste, class and community.

I am disturbed at the same time, thinking, why the similar promptness in  response is not received when we talk about the issue that is as disturbing as Corona virus and which has been there with us since the onset of humanity. I am talking about  violence against women.  I feel that the mobile phone technology does not work  so actively when  we want to garner support to shun violence against women. The  World Bank calls  violence against women, a global pandemic  that affects  1 in every 3 women in their lifetime.  I feel that what happens to 100% of the population and disrupts the life of every human being, gets more attention and calls for action.

The differences , in this context, may be looked at as -

1. Corona virus affects the entire population on planet earth. Violence against women affects only half of the population on earth. 

2. Corona virus quarantines the entire population - men, women alike. Violence against women quarantines only the women in a secluded corner of the house. 

I understand that it may not be a very good idea to equate violence against women with deadly Corona virus. But lets not forget that violence against women has been  a constant pandemic phenomenon which has caused death and derangement of women over the years. Corona virus has just infested our life recently and may go from our life very soon.

What I am trying to say is that Viruses will keep coming and going But the virus of violence against women would continue to stay and would keep haunting us. 

Let our mobile phones buzz with the call to shun violence against women and young girls!!

Let the voice of mobile phone become so powerful that the world gets united in their call for No Violence against women!!