One of the sad realities of the lockdowns caused by the Covid-19 pandemic is that there has been a horrifying surge in gener-based violence (GBV).

Peace is not just the absence of war. Many women under lockdown for #COVID19 face violence where they should be safest: in their own homes.

Today I appeal for peace in homes around the world.

I urge all governments to put women’s safety first as they respond to the pandemic. pic.twitter.com/PjDUTrMb9v

— António Guterres (@antonioguterres) April 6, 2020

In light of this, Twitter, in close partnership with UN Women Asia Pacific, as well as leading NGOs and government agencies, has launched a dedicated gender-based violence search prompt for hotlines and support in local languages in Asia Pacific.

This service is now available in Malaysia and several other seven APAC countries including Indonesia, Malaysia, Philippines, Thailand, Singapore, South Korea and Vietnam.

How it works is simple. When people in the eight aforementioned countries search for keywords associated with gender-based violence on Twitter, they will see a notification in their local language directing them to the hotlines of the local organisations where they can seek help, together with a list of NGOs that can provide support they need.

#ShadowPandemic on the rise during COVID-19

According to the latest report by UN Women, 243 million women and girls aged 15-49 globally have been
subjected to sexual and/or physical violence perpetrated by an intimate partner in the past 12 months. Emerging data shows that since the outbreak of COVID-19, violence against women and girls, and particularly gender- based violence, has intensified across the globe.

“Violence against women and girls across Asia Pacific is pervasive but at the same time widely under reported. Globally, one in three women experience violence at least once in their lifetime. In fact, in many countries in our region, the number is even greater, with as many as 2 out of 3 women in some countries reporting experiences of violence,”

Melissa Alvarado, UN Women Asia Pacific Regional Manager on Ending Violence against Women

The hotlines for women and children in Malaysia have also reported a 57% increase in calls while government orders aimed at controlling movement are in effect. Similar trends are seen in Singapore and South Korea as well.

In Malaysia, Twitter has partnered with trusted national NGO partners in this effort to provide services via the referrals of the #thereishelp service as follows:

● Women’s Aid Org (WAO) is a Malaysian NGO that provides free shelter, counselling, and crisis support to
women and children who experience abuse

● All Women’s Action Society (AWAM) is a feminist non-profit organization based in Malaysia working on a local and national level to address Gender-Based Violence (GBV) such as rape, sexual harassment and workplace discrimination while envisioning and working towards substantive equality while recognising the unique diversity, intersectionality, and play of power, privilege and other environmental factors.

#ThereIsHelp in Malaysia. We are here for you. Please help us amplify our services:

HOTLINE: +603-7956 3488
SMS/WhatsApp TINA+6018-988 8058

Thank you @Twitter @Policy @Nonprofits for having #teamWAO be a part of this great initiative! pic.twitter.com/EySLsUVfJK

— Women's Aid Org (@womensaidorg) June 1, 2020

We are pleased to partner with @Twitter @Policy @Nonprofits on #ThereIsHelp in Malaysia. People can now reach out to NGO hotlines by searching keywords related to Gender-Based Violence with this new notification service. pic.twitter.com/9oKiEK1R7h

— All Women’s Action Society (AWAM) (@AWAMMalaysia) June 1, 2020

“While the pandemic affects everyone, women and girls are more vulnerable to violence and abuse, including economic factors that disproportionately affect women such as period poverty and wage inequality. Together with Twitter, we are ready to address this pressing problem and support all who are suffering from this violence during this challenging time.”

Ms. Nisha Sabanayagam, Programmes and Operations Manager of All Women’s Action Society (AWAM)

After finally slapping a fake news label on Donald Trump just a couple of weeks ago, it looks like Twitter is ramping up on its responsibilities as a platform that supports marginalised communities all over the world. Keep up the good work, Twitter!