Rethinking legal protection against gender-based and domestic violence in Angola: human rights and governance

Yonayka Licea-Suárez; Lisandra León-Brizuela; Ariadna Moya-Rodríguez; Leonel Céspedes-Tamayo; Osvaldo Hipólito-Fernando

doi:10.5281/

Authors

Yonayka Licea-Suárez Universidade Internacional do Cuanza (UNIC). Angola | FUNIBER, España. Author https://orcid.org/0009-0006-8398-0367
Lisandra León-Brizuela Universidade Internacional do Cuanza (UNIC). Angola | FUNIBER, España. Author https://orcid.org/0000-0002-5305-1552
Ariadna Moya-Rodríguez Universidade Internacional do Cuanza (UNIC). Angola | FUNIBER, España. Author https://orcid.org/0009-0003-7396-9111
Leonel Céspedes-Tamayo Universidade Internacional do Cuanza (UNIC). Angola | FUNIBER, España. Author https://orcid.org/0009-0001-4273-0082
Osvaldo Hipólito-Fernando Universidade Internacional do Cuanza (UNIC). Angola | FUNIBER, España. Author https://orcid.org/0009-0006-1283-3781

DOI:

https://doi.org/10.5281/

Keywords:

Gender-based violence, domestic violence, human rights, Angola.

Abstract

Gender-based and domestic violence remain among the most significant challenges to the protection of women's human rights in Angola. This study aimed to analyse the conceptual evolution of gender-based violence, examine the applicable national and international legal framework, and assess the institutional challenges affecting the effectiveness of the protection system from a socio-legal perspective. A qualitative research design was adopted through a legal-documentary review of scientific literature, national legislation, international human rights instruments, and institutional documents published mainly between 2020 and 2026. The findings reveal important legal advances through the Constitution of Angola, Law No. 25/11 on Domestic Violence, and international human rights instruments that strengthen the legal protection of women. However, significant challenges remain regarding effective access to justice, institutional coordination, prevention strategies, and the implementation of public policies. As its main contribution, the study proposes a socio-legal model structured around five strategic dimensions—prevention, comprehensive protection, access to justice, institutional coordination, and comprehensive reparation—to strengthen the State's response and improve the effective protection of women's rights in Angola.

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