Head Chair: Ellie Bruce Vice Chair: TJ Dignan Moderator: Kai Odkhuu
Position papers will be due on February 5, 2021. The position paper format, and all other important conference documents, can be found on our conference website, http://lhhsconference.weebly.com/.
Email all position papers to our committee email: [email protected]. Feel free to contact us via email if you have any questions or concerns!
Hello delegates! My name is Ellie Bruce, and I will be your head chair for this year’s Laguna Hills MUN conference. I have been in MUN for four years. I really enjoy getting the opportunity to make creative solutions to problems that our world is facing. Outside of school, I enjoy spending time with my friends and family. I am really looking forward to seeing all of you in committee!
Hello delegates! My name is TJ Dignan, and I am going to be your vice chair for this year’s Laguna Hills MUN conference. This will be my third year in MUN, marking three consecutive years of exciting debate, creative problem solving, and learning about the world, all of which I have enjoyed immensely. I love playing soccer and volleyball, hanging out with my friends, and camping. This conference is going to be phenomenal, and I can’t wait to see all of you in committee!
Hi delegates. My name is Khangai (Kai) Odkhuu, and I will be your moderator for this year’s Laguna Hills MUN conference. This is my first year in MUN, and I’ve had a lot of fun discussing and debating at conferences. I am looking forward to seeing you all in committee!
Topic: The Increase of Domestic Violence during the Pandemic
Background The UN defines domestic violence, also called “domestic abuse” or “intimate partner violence,” as a pattern of behavior in any relationship that is used to gain or maintain power and control over an intimate partner. Stemming from COVID-19 lockdowns, there has been a rise in domestic abuse, which the UN has described as a “shadow pandemic.” Lockdowns lead to more domestic violence, as they enclose people in with their abusers. Abuse is physical, sexual, emotional, economic or psychological actions or threats of actions that influence another person. This includes any behaviors that frighten, intimidate, terrorize, manipulate, hurt, humiliate, blame, injure, or wound someone. Domestic violence can happen to anyone of any race, age, sexual orientation, religion, or gender. It can occur within a range of relationships including couples who are married, living together or dating, and it affects people of all socioeconomic backgrounds and education levels. Victims of domestic abuse may also include a child or other relative, or any other household member. It is thought that cases have increased by 20% during the lockdown, as many people are trapped at home with their abuser. Evidence that the rate of murder-suicide, in which a male partner kills a female and then himself, has risen since the same time last year. Additional factors which may contribute to the rise in abuse include an increase in stressors, from the closing of many recreational facilities, increased alcohol consumption, and inability to visit family and friends, who normally would have provided assistance to those who are being abused.
UN Involvement Domestic violence is an issue that the UN is already familiar with, and has already set up multiple groups to combat the problem. The fact that the rise of domestic violence towards women in this pandemic has been identified at all is due to the efforts of these pre-established NGOs, manning hotlines and collecting data in multiple countries around the globe. The efforts of the UN to eliminate such violence against women dates back the creation of the Universal Declaration of Human Rights in 1948, whose articles embody the spirit of preventing domestic violence. The issue was further addressed in 1979, with the adoption of the international treaty “Convention on the Elimination of All Forms of Discrimination Against Women” by the General Assembly. The contents of the treaty are accurately described by the title, outlining all possible forms of discrimination against women and condemning them while strongly recommending the promotion of inalienable rights that all women deserve. This treaty was then built on with the passing of resolution 48/104 in 1993, the “Declaration on the Elimination of Violence Against Women”. While previous resolutions and treaties had focused mainly on women’s rights and their entitlement to the same liberties men enjoyed, this particular resolution focuses on the disproportionate violence that women experience, with domestic violence being the main component. Altogether, the resolution fully condemns any violence or violent acts against women that may occur and has occured. Additionally, this resolution marks November 25th as the International Day for the Elimination of Violence Against Women, whose purpose is to raise awareness for the crimes of rape, domestic violence, and abuse that women have experienced. The UN has pushed to eliminate domestic violence throughout its time as a multilateral organization, and as evidenced by the actions recently taken by the Secretary-General, will continue to do so through the COVID-19 pandemic.
Country Blocs
African Bloc: Lockdowns because of the coronavirus, social and economic strains, and social distancing measures have made African women far more vulnerable than before. More than 70% of displaced women in Africa have experienced a rise in domestic violence. Women are forced to spend more time with their abusers as well as exploit themselves to transactional sex in order to provide for their children. Unfortunately, Africa has been battling this issue for years but the pandemic has made the issue more dire. Funding as well as support from the United Nations and NGOs is a necessity to tackle this issue.
Asia and Pacific Bloc: The pandemic has caused many women and girls to be isolated at home and unable to go to school in Asia. This has led to an increase in domestic violence, sexual violence, and child marriage. In addition, genital mutilation is expected to increase as a result of the pandemic. Many women and girls are struggling with mental health as well with the burden of carrying on domestic work without pay. As child marriage, sexual violence, and genital mutilation are not new issues, it is key that women and girls are protected through Aid Groups and NGOs.
Eastern European Bloc: Prior to the pandemic, one in five women experienced domestic violence in Europe. The pandemic has exacerbated the issue leading to many women and girls cut off from support. Many governments in Europe are unable to guarantee sexual and reproductive care to women and girls who need it. Even after the pandemic, women will still be battling discrimination. Europe has begun to use their resources to create campaigns; however, it is important that every country in Europe ulitizes these resources to address domestic violence, sexual and reproductive care, and discrimination as a whole.
Latin American and Caribbean Bloc: Lockdowns are increasing the amount of women and girls experiencing domestic violence from their partners. As they are unable to go out, they are confined to their home where they have limited support. This issue has been prevalent in Latin America for many years; however, the pandemic has increased the amount of women struggling with abuse and the fear of reporting has increased as well. It is vital that women are given the support and outlets they need from NGOs and the UN to protect them from abuse as well as give them access to report in an efficient manner.
Western European and others Bloc: Domestic violence has increased all throughout Western Europe. Many women and girls are unable to receive the support they need and are more vulnerable to abuse with lockdowns being ordered. Women are unable to leave their homes as well as are limited to financial and health support. Fortunately, the UN and NGOs are launching campaigns to spread awareness about the issue as well as create safe quarantine trips to enable women to travel without the fear of the virus and their abuser. However, domestic violence in all forms is still deeply rooted in many societies. It is essential that more action is taken by the United Nations and other organizations.
Questions to Consider
How will the pandemic change how domestic violence is addressed in the future?
How do cultures impact women’s rights in different nations?
How will the pandemic affect the movement towards women empowerment?
Where do the different forms of domestic violence stem from?
How does inequality limit victims opportunities to take action?
“Women Confront Pandemic-Related Violence against Women across Europe and Central Asia.” UN Women | Europe and Central Asia, eca.unwomen.org/en/news/stories/2020/6/women-confront-pandemic-related-violence-against-women-across-europe-and-central-asia.