Felicia* is a mother with a new-born struggling to provide for herself and her son. With trading hours restricted by the curfew, her earnings are much reduced. Whatever she makes is spent on his care and buying a small amount of food for herself when she can afford it.
One day Felicia went out to sell her goods before the curfew started. She did not have a mask on and was caught by a police officer who immediately arrested her. She did not have the money to buy a new mask.
When AdvocAid arrived, Felicia was pleading with the officer:
“Officer, I beg you… I cannot buy a mask. If I do, I won’t have money for food. My body will struggle to feed my poor suckling baby”.
AdvocAid mediated for Felicia’s immediate release and provided her with a mask so that she can comply with the mask-wearing regulations and keep safe.
At the end of May 2020, new regulations were introduced under the State of Health Emergency making it compulsory for all citizens to wear face masks when out in public. The penalties for failure to comply are a substantial fine or a short jail sentence.
Marginalised women, who are already struggling financially during this pandemic, are disproportionately affected as they are forced into debt to pay such fines, or face incarceration for their inability to pay.
We recognise the importance of face masks to prevent the spread of COVID-19. Using a public health approach, rather than a law enforcement approach, protects people and avoids burdening the justice system. With funding from OSIWA AdvocAid has been working to support women and girls in contact with the law to protect their rights and help minimise their risks of contracting COVID-19. Our interventions to prevent women like Felicia from being detained helps reduce the pressure on already overcrowded detention centres and prevent uncontrollable spreads of COVID-19.
* name changed to protect her identity