GBV is up in lockdown. Is there a role for mobile tech? 💭

Volume 10, Issue 3

Gender and Mobiles Newsletter

Note from the Editors

#YouAreNotAlone

As the pandemic continues to transform life as we know it to "the new abnormal," it's hard to remember that we are not alone. This issue focuses not on the horrors of gender-based violence (GBV) and domestic violence, but rather the innovations born from these circumstances to help ensure nobody has to suffer without ways to be supported.

The resources shared in this issue from UN Women, UNICEF, Chayn, and the Vodafone Foundation remind us that not all of us have safe homes. They also shed light on some of the everyday people helping others in their own way - no "hero" label needed.

Who are the everyday people in your life supporting others and using mobile as a medium? Let us know on Twitter: @rondaz_g and @alex_tyers!

- Ronda and Alex

Must reads

Online Meetup on GBV & Tech: Tuesday 26 May 2020 via Zoom

As the world has been on lockdown, unfortunately, domestic violence has gone up. Millions do not have access to safe homes. On Tuesday 26 May 2020, newsletter co-editor Ronda is co-hosting a virtual panel (register to attend here) of three incredible speakers, including the founder of Chayn, who will examine the intersections of COVID19 lockdowns, domestic violence, and the (potential) role of tech. Learn more and register here.

Covid-19 and the Rise in Online Violence Against Women

It’s becoming increasingly apparent how Covid-19 is fueling a rise in gender-based violence (GBV) - both in the physical world and the digital world, in what UN Women call the ‘shadow pandemic’. This brief from UN Women outlines the key trends with online GBV, the key impacts, promising activities that others are doing, and some key recommendations that different organisations can take.

Read the brief here.

How Covid-19 is Deepening the Edtech Gender Digital Divide in the Middle East

Like most universities around the world, universities in the Middle East have had to shift to online learning during the covid-19 pandemic. However, this has shone a light on the gender digital divide, and in some cases, is making it worse.

Students who have more restricted access to laptops and other devices, slower (or no) internet access or network coverage, and more barriers around cost or social norms are being left behind - and the vast majority of them are women and girls from rural, low-income or refugee communities.

Not Just Hotlines and Mobile Phones: GBV Service Provision during Covid-19

Unicef has put together an incredible listing of resources to support people experiencing gender-based violence during lockdowns. Global in nature, a full range of ways to seek support are shared. We encourage distribution via social media. Resource author Dorcas Erskine will join the virtual meetup event featured earlier in the newsletter.

Access the resources here.

Stalkerware Apps Contribute to GBV

There have been increasing reports in the use of ‘stalkerware’ apps, which facilitate invasions of privacy to women spied on by their - often abusive - partners. Once installed on mobiles, these apps allow criminals to monitor and spy on smartphone activity. Learn more here.

Vodafone Foundation Multi-Country Domestic Violence Support Line

If you're in the Czech Republic, Hungry, Ireland, Portugal, South Africa, Turkey, or the UK and experiencing domestic violence, help is a phone call away. The Vodafone Foundation is offering several free services so know that #YouAreNotAlone.

Learn more here.

Next issue is out July / August 2020!

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