Population size:
1,920,920 [1]
Number of people experiencing domestic abuse each year:
There were no statistics available on the number of abusers who were prosecuted, convicted, or punished for rape, but the problem appeared to be persistent. [2]
No research on male victims or other gender identities.
Cost of domestic abuse to the economy each year:
No research.
Estimated % change due to COVID-19:
No research.
Current law and policy:
Guinea-Bissau commits to receiving international support to begin the process of tackling gender-based violence. It has not however, specifically addressed domestic violence in any meaningful way since outlawing it in 2013.
In 2018 the Judiciary Police launched a help line for victims of domestic violence, but due to limited human and technical capacities to respond to the demands of victims, the line was closed after one week. Legal literacy is low and access to the institutions of justice is limited. Domestic violence is commonly resolved within the home, with the police being reluctant to intervene. There does not appear to be official national statistics available limiting the ability of the UN to track progress regarding domestic violence.
Since domestic violence was made illegal in 2013, little progress appears to have been made with regards to implementing new legislation. However, with the ending of the long-term political crisis, since 2014, Guinea-Bissau has welcomed support from the UNIOGBIS to create political stability and begin addressing Guinea-Bissau’s social issues.
Public spending - 6.8% of GDP on violence containment (excluding individuals’ expenditures and indirect costs such as lost wages resulting from lower productivity or absenteeism.) [3] Budget of $120,000 ($44,900 shortfall – 37%). [4]
Frontline Services:
WellFound - https://wellfound.org.uk - Point of contact: Steven Bratten, contact@wellfound.org.uk
RENLUV - https://www.facebook.com/renluvgb/ - renluvgb@gmail.com
28 Too Many - https://www.28toomany.org/country/guinea/ - info@28toomany.org
Plan International - https://plan-international.org/ - Plan-Int.GNB@plan-international.org
Sources
[1] The World Bank, (1).
[3] http://economicsandpeace.org/wp-content/uploads/2015/06/The-Economic-Cost-of-Violence-Containment.pdf (page 14) (2012)
[4] https://reliefweb.int/sites/reliefweb.int/files/resources/UNICEF%20Guinea-Bissau%20COVID-19%20Situation%20Report%20No.%2013%20-%2027%20June-3%20July%202020.pdf (page 7) (July 2020)
Further Reading
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