domestic violence
On 9 October 2020, Research ICT Africa (RIA), APC, ALT Advisory and the Feministing While African (FWA) network made a submission to the Portfolio Committee on Justice and Correctional Services of South Africa in response to proposed amendments to the Domestic Violence Act.
There are increasing rates of domestic violence and abuse during the COVID-19 lockdowns imposed in different countries. This violence includes abuse that relies on online means and includes financial abuse and exploitation, which particularly harm the independence of those who are the targets.
In this brief submission, APC identifies the nexus between domestic violence and online gender-based violence in the context of COVID-19, drawing on some issues to consider from country-led and regional case studies.
The recently launched online mapping platform developed by the Association for Progressive Communications in partnership with APC member AZUR Developpement under the Africatti project, will contribute to holding the Congo government accountable on domestic violence in a country where serious incidents of gender based violence and human rights violations take place.
