CATASTROPHIC IMPACT
As the world grapples with Coronavirus, the pandemic has brought with it an indefinite lockdown in many counties across the world. For six months under lockdown, a UNFPA study predicted that it could leave 47 million women in
low- and middle-income countries unable to use modern contraceptives. National Commission for Women receives
315 domestic violence complaints in April, highest since
last August. The complaints include a girl being physically abused to get married and a man seeking protection for her sister, who was being beaten at her in-laws’ home. It has been said that extenuation for violence will never end. Women have always been the worst sufferers of violence. Disasters, economic crises, and wars have all proven to be more fateful for women than men and exacerbate gender inequality. COVID-19 is no exception to that. France reported 32 per cent rise in domestic violence during the outbreak. Domestic violence has increased threefold in China’s Hubei Province. New Zealand Police has released statistics demonstrating a 20 per cent spike by the first Sunday after their lockdown started. In the US, the National Domestic Violence Hotline received 951 calls during two weeks in March. Many US law enforcement agencies have registered a steep increase since the COVID-19 lockdowns have begun. Even UN Secretary, General Antonio Guterres, asked governments to incorporate some plans to combat domestic violence during this time.
Due to the lockdown, the husband, wife, children and the elderly are living together for all the 24 hours. The lockdown has hurt the economy deeply. According to a survey by an NGO, it suggests most men are upset thinking about what will happen in the coming days as the future seems uncertain. To a very large extent, unavailability of alcohol has also triggered violence. Many men are also disturbed by their failure to fulfil their sexual desires. Who do we blame for such a scenario? Despite varied socio-cultural context, we, women are responsible for making these look normal for many generations, for not raising our voice. With all the rethinking that needs to be done POST-COVID, discussing gender disparity is among the urgent issues that need to be tackled.
..... SURBHI GARG, DELHI via email