Page 52 - IJPS-10-1

International Journal of
Population Studies IPV during COVID-19 in Africa

1. Introduction concern. Examining the social contexts that influence these
relationships can provide valuable understanding of the
The emergence of COVID-19 and the abrupt introduction gender-based differences in vulnerability that exist within
of lockdown measures in both developed and developing networks and structures of relationships. This scoping review
countries have given rise to unintended consequences on aims to identify existing evidence on social contexts of IPV,
various social institutions, networks, and interpersonal with a particular focus on sub-Saharan African contexts. The
relationships. Documented evidence underscores the goal is to gain insights into system response across diverse
diverse impacts on all social institutions, spanning the settings during the pandemic period.
economy, international relations, religious organizations,
and marriages (Peitzmeier et al., 2022), which continue to Contexts play critical roles in the derivative impacts
grapple with the lingering effects of the pandemic and the of COVID-19. Despite the variants, the virus remains
associated restrictions on movement and interactions. At the consistent across cultures, especially in terms of symptoms
interpersonal level, particularly within intimate relationships, and potential consequences for hosts worldwide. Social
the impacts exhibit gendered nuances, rendering both networks and relationships have undergone differentiated
men and women vulnerable, although to varying degrees and gendered experiences in individual countries during
and contingent upon the availability of a support system the outbreak, as well as the accompanying measures to curb
to mitigate the impact. Disruptions in incomes occurred its spread (Amzat et al., 2020). From around March 2020,
as economic activities were impeded within and across when African countries started recording index cases of
national boundaries. Notably, certain sectors, such as the COVID-19, governments adhered to established protocols
information and communication technology industry, for managing the COVID-19 pandemic, implementing
gained increased prominence and timeliness in the face of isolation, social distancing, and movement restrictions
these disruptions. These disruptions further exacerbated (Amzat et al., 2020). In locations where such measures were
inherent tensions within interpersonal relations, especially enacted, cases of IPV escalated, involving multiple sexual
in aspects related to well-being, insecurity, and relationships partners (Agüero, 2021; Donato, 2020; Moreira & Pinto
(Furbush et al., 2021). The restrictions on movements and da Costa, 2020). Couples and families were compelled to
interpersonal interactions compelled individuals with pre- share spaces and spend more time together (McNeil et al.,
existing tensions and strained relationships to engage more 2023). The reported growth in IPV cases appears to be a
frequently, increasing the likelihood of experiencing various cross-cultural phenomenon. McNeil et al. (2023), in a
forms of violence, abuse, or maltreatment. The gender rapid review, reported a preliminary spread and increase in
insensitivity inherent in the lockdown measures, coupled IPV cases. Similarly, Leslie and Wilson (2020) had earlier
with the absence of a quality and responsive support reported a 7.5% increase in IPV within the first 3 months of
network, may have exacerbated the situation for some lockdown in some metropolitan areas of the United States.
women, especially in social settings where patriarchal values In China, cases of IPV tripled in the first quarter of 2020
dominate and are exemplified within intimate relationships compared to the previous year (Roesch et al., 2020; Zhang,
(Ceroni et al., 2021). 2020). In 2020, a similar increase was recorded in a small-
1.1. Literature review scale survey conducted in Ethiopia (Tadesse, et al., 2022).
The survey, featuring 589 married women, revealed that
Before the COVID-19 pandemic, intimate partner violence an appreciable proportion (22.4%) reported experiencing
(IPV) remained dominant among various forms of some forms of IPV, with a considerable number reporting
violence, abuse, and maltreatment. This dominance can be multiple forms, including physical, psychological, and
partially attributed to its entrenchment and embeddedness sexual violence during the pandemic (Tadesse et al., 2022).
in broader social and cultural contexts (Moreira & Pinto
da Costa, 2020). Intimate relationships, being inherently The novelty of COVID-19, akin to other complex
gendered, yield multiplier consequences for the well-being emergencies, contributes in part to the much-needed
of survivors and others in their networks. The emergence of evidence that can inform appropriate policies, measures,
the pandemic led to multiple postulations, with one notable and interventions to mitigate the disruptions in
expectation being that IPV could become more prevalent socioeconomic structures and networks of relationships.
and exacerbated in both incidence and prevalence. The Before the onset of the COVID-19 pandemic, Africa was
premises for such a potential surge was rooted in the absence, already one of the regions with the highest prevalence
inadequacy, and insensitivity of containment measures to of IPV. A systematic review and meta-analysis of cross-
address existing gendered tensions and differentials within sectional studies on gender-based violence (GBV) against
intimate partner relationships. Intimate partner relationships women in sub-Saharan Africa conducted in 2020 by
are universally acknowledged as a social and public health Muluneh et al. reveal a prevalent rate of domestic violence in

Volume 10 Issue 1 (2024) 46 https://doi.org/10.36922/ijps.367