Therefore, it is encouraging to see how countries, through the APRM, have taken steps to promote gender equality and address GBV challenges. Best practices have been developed and implemented, including the decentralization of health services for greater accessibility by women and girls, the establishment of GBV hotlines, and the creation of Gender Violence Recovery Centres. Several countries, including Uganda, Mozambique, Zambia, Kenya, and Ghana, have enacted anti-SGBV laws to protect women's rights and freedom from violence. In 2021, South Africa committed to developing its second-generation Country Review Report, which formulates recommendations to reinforce efforts to end GBV in the country. These recommendations have been integrated into a National Plan of Action (NPoA), and the report is scheduled to be launched in 2023. Unlike other reports, APRM reports are owned by every sector of society, fostering collaboration, and generating greater accountability in the implementation of anti-GBV measures by countries. In general, governments tend to deprioritise GBV services, such as shelters and medical treatment, during emergencies or decision-making processes. Gender budgeting to address GBV is often neglected in day-to-day governance. The governance gap in tackling GBV in countries has become more apparent during the Covid-19 pandemic. To address GBV effectively, it is crucial to consider the intersection between gender and governance in the design of gender-sensitive decision-making processes and policies. Moreover, integrating gender considerations into governance processes is essential for effectively mainstreaming gender in response, prevention, and management mechanisms for disasters and shocks. The African Peer Review Mechanism (APRM) has placed particular focus on this aspect in its member-state countries. Previous observations by institutions like the African Union confirmed that most countries were ill-prepared to face challenges of this magnitude, except for those that had accumulated experience and resilience from previous conflicts and crises. Sierra Leone serves as an example of a country that has successfully addressed GBV challenges.
While gender-based violence (GBV) has always existed, the Covid-19 pandemic has played a contributing role in its escalation across the globe, leading the United Nations to label it the "Shadow Pandemic." This relationship between the rise of GBV and crises, such as the Ebola outbreak in West Africa from 2014 to 2016 or conflicts, has become evident
In South Africa, the number of reported GBV cases reached 2,230 within the first week of the imposed lockdown measures in response to the pandemic, representing a 30% increase compared to the previous year. Despite the diminishing threat of Covid-19 in 2022, some countries continue to experience a steady rise in GBV. For example, the South African Police Service recorded a 13% increase in sexual offenses against women. Experts attribute the causes of GBV to cultural, political, economic, and legal factors. During the Covid-19 pandemic, the surge in GBV was driven by the social and economic isolation of women and girls, resulting from restricted movement and limited access to medical, legal, and social services. Women and girls found themselves vulnerable to their abusers due to strict lockdown regulations implemented by governments.
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June 2023 | Collective Action Magazine
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