Annotation:
This report outlines Amnesty International’s concerns and suggestions to protect women’s rights during the Covid-19 pandemic. The report addresses that lockdowns due to the pandemic have increased reports of women being subjected to threats or violence at home. The report notes that the lockdown limits both methods by which victims can report for help and services such as shelters due to restricted capacity. Furthermore, the report voices that court extensions for cases of women against violence should be executed in a timely manner in order to provide access to justice for these individuals. The report also stresses that the pandemic may be disproportionally affecting women and their right to reproductive health services including access to contraception and abortion. It states that these services should be considered essential and not restricted during the pandemic under the guise of optional.