RABIA XERÎS

Algeria- Since the outbreak of the Covid-19, violence against women has been increasing in Algeria, like many countries. A policeman in his forties killed his wife and two daughters in the Al-Tahir city of Jijel Province. After killing them, he killed himself. In October, a pregnant woman was killed by her husband in the Skikda city of Algeria. On January 26, 2021, journalist Tinhinane Laceb was killed by her husband. On January 24, Warda Hafez, mother of five, was killed by her husband in front of her six-year-old daughter. Several months before this incident, 19-year-old Shaima was kidnapped, raped, battered, and burned alive in the small town of “Al-Thaniya”. Algeria women share the number of femicide in Algeria on a Facebook page named “فيمنيسيدز ألجيري (Femicide in Algeria). According to information shared on this page, 60 women were killed in Algeria in 2020, 54 women were killed in Algeria in 2021. The page states that the number of killed women is probably higher.

Violence increases despite anti-violence laws

Sociology and family counselor Sara Zagad told us that about 35 percent of Algerian women are subjected to violence. “According to the reports, one of the reasons for the increase of violence is poverty. Violence increases despite anti-violence laws. Most women are subjected to violence by their relatives or unknown men,” she told NuJINHA.

“Victims of violence should be supported”

Dalila Hussein, president of the Nour Association for Women, Family, and Children, stated that violence against women is a systematic phenomenon. Indicating that there are many reasons for violence such as financial problems, forced marriage, and child marriage, she said, “Victims of violence need psychological support. They should be supported. The perpetrators of violence should be punished to prevent gender-based violence.”

“Domestic violence has increased during the pandemic”

Fatima Saidane, Secretary for Families and Women's Affairs of the Movement of Society for Peace, said that there are many reasons for violence and that these reasons should be investigated. “During the pandemic, houses have become the most dangerous places for women. Domestic violence has increased during the pandemic.”

“Awareness-raising activities are essential”

Nabila Ben Salem, a civil society activist, thinks the main reason for the increase of gender-based violence in Algeria is the economic crisis. Stating that women are subjected to violence mostly by their relatives, she said, “Awareness-raising activities are essential to prevent violence against women.”