Women’s Empowerment vs. Domestic Violence During Covid-19
We are in the era of Women’s empowerment but is it actually staying intact in the current situation of Covid-19? The cases of Domestic Violence have increased rapidly in the last few days all over the world, since Government ensured confinement in home to prevent the spread of Corona virus. But in the way of staying safe from Covid-19, women and children are becoming vulnerable to their oppressors and the worst matter is that they can’t even call for help from any friends, family or resources due to the confinement situation.
If we notice recent survey of Bangladesh, by Manusher Jonno Foundation(MJF), at least 4249 women and 456 children were victim of domestic violence. Among them 1672 women and 424 children faced violence for the first time in their lives. In India, NCW registered (between 3rd March-16th April), 587 domestic violence complaints, a 45% increase from the previous days, The Children India Helpline received more than 92000 calls between 20th to 31st March, the start of India’s lockdown. These are just small examples of 2 countries where is several laws to ensure safety for their women and children and this is the current situation in both countries. Then can we even imagine the situation in Middle East and North Africa who have the fewest laws protecting women from domestic violence?
Now let’s come to the reasons behind the domestic violence in this pandemic. During the Lockdown situation many people have lost their jobs and few are suffering through financial crisis which has increased stress, depression and anxiety in them and it is resulting in abusing their spouses and children. Also, the continuous confinement and lack of social activities is increasing the aggression in people, it has increased the consumption of alcohols as well. So, they are venting their frustrations on their spouses and children. Women employees are more often paid lower salary and due to lockdown they aren’t able to go to works are experiencing domestic violence more, this inability is leaving them more vulnerable to abuse as well. The condition of these oppressed women keep getting worse in this confinement situation of Covid-19.
Then next question comes how shall we prevent the situation? First of all, we can definitely raise social awareness through various campaigns and social medias. Government should expand shelter options for women and children and strengthen the capacity of the justice sectors. Government can ensure complaining facilities through text messages, hotlines and mobile applications for reporting directly towards Police or any NGO’s who are working for women and children welfare activities. Also, virtual court hearings, facilitated online methods for obtaining protection orders and to continue to legal protections to survivors can be arranged. A big step Government can take by giving finance economy security for the women workers. Many women can not complain due to shame, lack of understanding of the situation, social stigma, and acknowledgement of the fact lack of the support a victim a may get; various NGO's, social activists and Government should come forward to create social awareness and give courage to the women so that victimized women can come forward and complain against their oppressors. Otherwise, there's no way Women Empowerment mindset can stay unharmed during Covid-19 situation.
References:
1. https://www.dhakatribune.com/…/webinar-on-domestic-violence…
2. https://en.wikipedia.org/…/Impact_of_the_COVID-19_pandemic_…
2. https://en.wikipedia.org/…/Impact_of_the_COVID-19_pandemic_…
Written by
Sabrina Hilali.
3rd Batch , Department of Law and Land Administration
University of Rajshahi
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