Divorce and Separation in Africa after the Covid-19 Pandemic

Ndirangu Ngunjiri, University of Nairobi

In the study an analytical cross-sectional study recruited 1046 participants by cluster random sampling technique, all data collection was conducted on the questionnaires to protect both participants and surveyors from potential COVID-19 spread. Our findings suggest domestic violence, separation, and divorce increased during the COVID-19 pandemic period. Potential interventions to consider may include direct cash or asset transfers specifically to women, potentially using community-based women’s groups as existing infrastructure for social and economic support so that the support is local and accessible. Divorce and separation in Africa are skyrocketing across Africa among study participants. Thus, the study recommended that countries in Africa need to join international initiatives in prioritizing divorce and separation while trying to deal with the Covid-19 pandemic.