In Mozambique, providers prepare for spike in gender-based violence as pandemic spreads

NAMPULA, Mozambique - Yara*, 18, was on her way to the market early one morning when three men intercepted, robbed and raped her. Yara told her mother and a friend what had happened, and they immediately took her to the Nampula Centre for Integrated Assistance. After receiving medical treatment, Yara was able to report her attackers to the police and access psychosocial support at a single location.

“We ensure that each patient gets treated... and [is able to] return to normal life,” says Berta Caminete, health technician and gender-based violence focal point at the Spotlight Initiative-supported centre.

Centres like the one in Nampula deliver vital care to women and girls experiencing violence, allowing them to access help without having to retell their story multiple times or visit multiple locations. Sadly, the demand for the centres is expected to grow exponentially in coming weeks and months, as the COVID-19 pandemic puts even more women at risk of violence.  

Gender-based violence and COVID-19

An estimated one third of the planet’s population is currently under full or partial lockdown as governments enforce measures to contain the spread of COVID-19. In Mozambique, a state of emergency has been declared. Uncertainty, economic pressure and heightened stress levels are expected to create a surge in gender-based violence, just as they have in other regions of the world.

To ensure that centres and their staff are prepared, the Spotlight Initiative is supporting government partners to provide personal protective equipment (PPE), hygiene products and key information materials on COVID-19 prevention, as well as alerting government and civil society partners to the expected spike in cases.

To learn more about the services available to support women and girls during this critical time, please read the complete originally published article by the Spotlight Initiative here.