Pandemic period gender-based violence shows slight reduction

ADDIS ABABA -The Ministry of Women, Children and Youths Affairs (MWCY) said that the recent reports in the social media in relation to the level of sexual abuse following the pandemic was highly exaggerated. “The data available shows that it has decreased as compared to the time before the advent of the pandemic.”

The reported cases in two successive months before the pandemic were 144 cases while the total sexual violence cases recorded within two months during the pandemic are 102, Dereje Tegyibelu, Legal Affairs Director told The Ethiopian Herald.

The Ministry of Women, Children and Youths Affairs (MWCY) said it has been working to protect women and girls from gender-related abuse during the COVID-19 pandemic.

The Director stated that the pandemic has forced people to stay at home. Taking this fact into consideration, the Ministry has been given due attention to prevention measures and it has been working cooperatively with stakeholders.

He said women have been facing different types of abuses before the pandemic and there is also an assumption that the pandemic might increase the level of the abuse. “For instance, early marriage has been increasing after the pandemic in some parts of the country”.

After the first case of COVID-19 has been reported in the country, the Ministry has been working on creating awareness focusing on the remote villages in concert with women’s organizations.

Dereje stated that gender-based abuse and sexual assault remains challenging for the country’s stride forward. “The pandemic has also worsened some types of women abuse.”

The task force which was formed by the Ministry has also been working at the national level to protect women from abuse during the lockdown. It has been working to provide legal, psychological, safe shelters and other necessary services for victims, he added.

The courts dealing with women’s affairs are working fully despite the pandemic to ensure that women’s rights are protected, as to the Director.

The Ethiopian herald June 14, 2020

BY GENET FEKADE

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