Southern African governments responded to the emergence of COVID-19 with states of emergency/disaster and lockdown measures of varying degrees which, to a greater or lesser extent, justifiably curtailed human rights, most notably the freedom of movement. These restrictive measures precipitated shocking rises in gender-based violence as they transformed homes into iron cages of male-driven abuse against women and girls. This briefing analyses the intersection of gender-based violence, pandemic responses, sociocultural practices and barriers to justice in Southern Africa.
