In the year 2018, more than 400 Costa Rican women were forced to flee their homes due to abuse from their significant other. This year the challenges are greater due to the COVID-19 pandemic. This situation is being called the “Shadow Pandemic’’, a pandemic that accompanies the coronavirus and keeps abused women living with their abusers. November 25 has been dubbed by the United Nations as International Day for the Elimination of Violence Against Women, and with the recent rise in femicides in Costa Rica, this is a day requiring the attention of everyone.

Between the years 2007 to 2019, there have been 355 femicides in Costa Rica, homicides of women by their partners, lovers or spouses. There have been 11 femicides thus far in the year 2020, but more are anticipated as unemployment increases, and more people are forced to stay at home to avoid the virus. The violence reported includes physical and psychological (20-25%), and sexual violence (14%). It is believed these crimes are way under-reported in Costa Rica and elsewhere. Many women continue to endure violence because they depend on their abusers economically, especially those with children. Since the outbreak of COVID-19, all types of violence against women and girls, particularly domestic violence, have intensified in Costa Rica and other countries.

“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 United Nations Secretary Antonio Guterres. In some countries, calls to helplines for domestic violence have increased six fold.

The United Nations is encouraging everyone this year to “Ser el grito de las que ya no estan”, or Be the outcry for those no longer with us. In three out of four cases of femicide, victims never denounce their agressors. This is why the United Nations in the year 2000 began International Day of the Elimination of Violence Against Women. This year it is to be celebrated from November 25 through December 10, 16 Days of Activism against gender-based violence.

The United Nations states, “Ending violence against women and girls is critical to achieving sustainable development and more peaceful societies. The UNESCO World Heritage Centre urges communities everywhere to join us.”
Activities in support of Ni Una Mujer Mas (Not One More Woman) will be held during the next sixteen days in Costa Rica, and a schedule of activities can be found at inamu.gov.cr/dia-internacional-de-la-eliminacion-de-la-violencia-contra-las-mujeres.
Be the voice for those whose voices were silenced due to violence against women. Not One More Woman in 2020

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