• COVID-19 Country Socio-Economic Re-Engineering and Recovery Strategies: 

  1. Designated gender safe spaces to provide accommodation for GBV survivors, and create space in County Referral Hospitals to serve as GBV recovery centers. 

  2. Promoted use of alternative means of GBV safe outreach and awareness raising that limit direct contact. 

  3. Supported gender champions and sign language interpreters to activate and communicate an ‘alert chain’ to reach GBV survivors or those in imminent danger of injury and harm. 

  4. Strengthened inclusive community outreach strategies to ensure GBV messaging is localized and clear, and addresses stigma and discrimination 

The Ministry of Justice suspended most work in courts during COVID but continued to proceed with family court cases (alimony payments, child custody cases, etc.) They added special precautionary and sanitary measures for these cases.

The Malawi Police Service worked on upskilling community policing structures, youth clubs and faith-based structures on the reporting of COVID-19 related violence cases, using remote methodology. It also equipped Community Policing structures with Personal Protective Equipment and remote reporting structures to continue their services of child protection and GBV prevention, and to facilitate police visibility as a risk- mitigating measures to GBV and VAC in quarantine facilities.

The Urban Productive Safety Net Project (UPSNP) targets female-headed households, foresees the provision of community-based childcare services and reduced working time for women with children. Before and after childbirth, it also enables women to receive direct support without work requirements. Beneficiaries of the UPSNP received advance 3 months payment while on leave from their public works obligations. They were able to withdraw 50% of their savings to cover expenses arising out of the COVID-19 emergency. 

Sudan announced the Family Support Programme "Samarat". The program aims to reduce the impact of economic reforms on low-income families by providing cash transfers, and improving social protection systems and safety nets. It is expected that about 11.3 million people will benefit from the first phase of the project, which represents 33% of the total number of beneficiaries of the programme. Where possible, a female member of each family will be the default recipient of SFSP benefits on behalf of the family, after appropriate verification. The project provides cash transfers of 5 USD per person per month for a total cost of 350 million USD. The program ramp-up reached 80% of the population by September 2021.

The Department of Agriculture, Land Reform and Rural Development set aside 1.2 billion ZAR to address the effects of the COVID-19 pandemic, support distressed small-holder farmers, and ensure sustainable food production. The program prioritized women, youth, and disabled farmers and funds were delivered in the form of vouchers (small poultry, livestock, vegetable). During the first application period (April 8-22, 2020), 55,000 applications were received. Out of 55,000 applications in April, 15,000 were approved, benefitting 5,494 women.

The Zimbabwean Government and World Food Programme conducted a training for trainers workshop for smallholder farmers, ward-based district agricultural extension officers, agro-traders and district council representatives on new market information systems under the Small Grains Project, funded by the South-South Cooperation Opportunity Fund. The initiative is part of an integrated resilience-building project aimed at improving livelihoods, food security and nutrition is working to protect vulnerable communities from climatic-related and other shocks by giving people the additional skills needed to withstand these shocks through seed/fertiliser inputs and skills building. In Zimbabwe, agriculture accounts for nearly 70% of women's formal employment.

Algeria passed a legal decree in March 2020 granting paid leave to all working mothers and pregnant women without exception across both public and private sectors. 

In Côte d'Ivoire, there has been a postpone of three months for the payment of capital income tax (IRC) for tourism and hotel businesses facing challenges. It is worth noting that tourism-related activities, including accommodation and food services, play a significant role in women's employment, accounting for 10% of their employment in comparison to 1% for men.

The Government of Zimbabwe developed a tool for justice systems to avail data on cases they encounter. The data was used in making a case for increased resource allocation as well as need for increased awareness raising as a preventive measure to combating GBV in this pandemic. The Government also partnered with Plan International to carry out rapid assessment of the gendered needs in this pandemic to ensure data-based allocation of resources across regions.

A digital network comprising social workers and psychologists was established to be a resource to survivors of gender-based violence (GBV) and those affected by the COVID-19 pandemic. The network also facilitates appropriate referrals to relevant services for those in need.