The coronavirus pandemic forced millions at home. Self-isolation appears to be the most effective way to break the rapidly expanding infection. Yet staying at home for many people, especially women and children meant an increase of the risk of being subjected to violence. Everywhere, no matter which country we look at, domestic violence has increased during the months of forced isolation. 

Speaking to ANHA about the increasing violence against women, Lina Berekat, General Coordinator of the Syrian Women's Council, emphasized the need to make women's struggle more effective.

Berekat noted that: "We have called on all relevant circles for the protection of women's rights. We are fighting not only for women living in Syria, but for all women in the world. All the threats faced by women which put their life in danger must be eliminated."

Berekat said that they are in coordination with many institutions in order to get accurate data on violence against women. She added that these data will be announced at a later stage. Underlining that there can be no excuse for violence against women, Berekat said: "The perpetrators of violence against women must be brought in front of the law."

Berekat pointed out that the violence against women in North and East Syria is very low compared to other countries in the world and noted that this has been achieved thanks to the priority given to women within the Autonomous Administration model.

Berekat added that women achieved great successes in North and East Syria and underlined that these achievements made women's struggle strong. As to the silence of the world public opinion in the face of violence against women, Berekat had this to say: "The Turkish state and its mercenaries are attacking women in Afrin, Serêkaniyê and Girê Spî. The occupiers should be brought to account for this. The reason for the immoral attacks is the goal to destroy the revolution made by women."

Berekat had a list of suggestions to fight violence against women and at the same time she said that the women's struggle should be revised. Underlining that the existing laws are not enough to prevent violence, she remarked that the problems in the relationship between men and women should be solved. She suggested the establishment of a crisis desk to help women's organizations all over the world, and said that a women's struggle should be organized to counter the male-dominated mentality.