The coronavirus pandemic has worsened the situation of violence against women in Brazil and around the world. The fact that women are spending more time at home due to social isolation, the economic crisis and stress have caused the number of reports of violence against women to increase by 40% in the country, according to data from the Ministry of Women, Family and Human Rights. Keeping an eye on the problem and taking as an example the countries where the pandemic first arrived, Natura and the Avon Institute, part of the group since January of this year, created a movement to warn about the increase in cases and provide support to victims. The topic was explored with companies associated with Cebds and Natura's vice president of Communication, Marketing and Sustainability, Andrea Alvares, this Monday (October 26) at the meeting on actions aimed at combating Covid-19. The role that companies can play in helping in this scenario was one of the points emphasized in the conversation.
Marina Grossi, president of CEBDS, opened the meeting by talking about how the problem, already serious in a country like Brazil, has become even worse with the quarantine. Andrea Alvares gave a presentation on how women throughout the centuries have been seen as inferior beings and as the property of men, and as a result, a sexist and oppressive culture was created.
“We were aware of the increase in violence against women in the countries where Covid-19 first took hold. In China, the number of cases tripled. In Europe, it doubled. We have a huge network of women: there are 6 million consultants and representatives worldwide; and with that, an immense power of mobilization. It was from this that we created the movement 'Isolated yes, alone no' here in Brazil, with the dissemination of a hashtag with this name and a video that began with a very feminine theme, like a makeup class, inviting women to put on their headphones and from there giving tips on how to act or prevent themselves in cases of violence”, said Andrea. #IsolatedYesAloneNo
Men's participation is essential
A major awareness campaign and support infrastructure for victims were then created. In addition, a a new psychosocial care channel, named Tina, to provide care, support and guidance to women, through a specialized social worker, who is also a lawyer. Andrea said that this is an easy and viable solution, which can serve as a model for other companies. According to her, a coalition of companies has already been formed to provide helplines to their employees. Andrea also emphasized the importance of bringing men into this process: “Aggressors need help and care. Of course they should be separated from their victims. But believing that the prison system will solve the problem is not the best solution.”
Malu Paiva, Suzano’s Executive Director of Sustainability, explained how she intends to integrate the fight against sexual violence against children and adolescents into the fight to reduce cases of violence against women. Andrea summarized the initiative: “When you save just one woman, you also save the entire generation that comes after. Separating children from a violent home is a liberation for the younger ones. This is how we will prevent the reproduction of violence.”
Marly Parra, observer of the CEBDS Leaders Council, defended a gradual resumption of the economy, based on strict protocols for activities, mainly in daycare centers and schools, considering how women end up being more demanded and sacrificed during quarantine.
Know more:
Natura joins forces with the Mamilos podcast to reinforce the fight against violence. Watch the 5-episode miniseries: https://www.b9.com.br/shows/mamilos/
Documentary “The mask you live in” deals with the issue of how machismo is rooted in society and how men’s participation is important to change reality: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=nNX6-a9ai4k
Download Natura document and UN Women with recommendations for the pandemic:
https://static.rede.natura.net/html/home/v37/img/isoladas-sim-sozinhas-nao.pdf
