Women in Prisons Face Unique Challenges Amid COVID-19
Women in prisons worldwide face a unique set of challenges, including heightened risks of sexual abuse and COVID-19 contagion due to overcrowding. Despite a 2018 Supreme Court measure, thousands of mothers and pregnant women remain imprisoned in Brazil instead of serving house arrest. Local media, like Magdalene in Indonesia, strive to shed light on these issues.
The risk of sexual abuse and insults of a sexual nature is higher for women in prison. Reports of alleged suicides linked to institutional gender violence have surfaced. Overcrowding in prisons and police stations exacerbates the COVID-19 threat, with some countries struggling with extremely high rates. In Brazil, the situation remains challenging, with no clear protection for female prisoners during the pandemic.
Women often receive fewer visits than men, and under COVID-19 restrictions, they received none, leading to increased isolation. This lack of visitation rights also means lack of food, medicine, clothing, and menstrual and hygienic products, which are critical lifelines for many women. Release programs have been inconsistent, with political prisoners often left behind, and some women facing harsh sentences for minor offenses.
Women represent a small but growing percentage of the world's incarcerated population. They often spend years in prison for minor offenses, such as low-level drug crime, self-defense from gender violence, abortion, miscarriages, or political activism. Despite these challenges, women are often overlooked in criminal justice systems and COVID-19 responses in prisons, which are typically designed with men in mind.
