COVID-19 Domestic Violence Country Updates: Egypt
Monday, July 27, 2020 4:20 PM

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In Egypt, since the beginning of the lockdown period, activist organizations have reported an increase in domestic violence. For example, one organization reported that incidents of domestic violence represented 43% of their total 1,146 cases received since the beginning of the pandemic. While the government has set up some helplines and shelters to support victims of abuse, the services are deemed unresponsive and inaccessible. Furthermore, Egyptian courts have suspended trials, leaving victims of domestic violence with little options for redress and allowing abusers to further torment their victims. Groups such as Gender and Legal Expert House, Al-Shehab, and the Egyptian Centre for Women’s Rights have volunteered their services to protect victims during this time by providing legal consultations, distributing food and protective gear, and spreading awareness with online campaigns such as “Coronavirus Is Not An Excuse For Violence.”