Women, Violence and COVID-19

Stop Violence, Brutality And Inhumanity Against Women

The recent surge in cases of violence against women amid lockdown under the fear of the deadly virus, COVID-19. Once again affected the most vulnerable section of our society that is women and realised them that they are still living in a patriarchal society, nothing has changed except the lofty political rhetorics by populist political leaders.

 Home, the place where every human being of this planet feels happy, joyful and relax, even there women are feeling insecure, fearful and worried not by an outsider but by their own family member, peer-group and after all by their partner.

You could imagine if they are not safe inside their house then which place they might feel safe. We have to recall and remind to ourself that they are a too human being like men, don't treat, act and behave them like a commodity or object of pleasure or exploit them for personal sexual desire.

In 2018, the United Nations study suggested that globally home was the most unsafe place for women. Now even after passing of two years, we haven't learned a lesson from the global organization report.

 Reports, study and data from various sources reveal that the non-government organizations, agencies and even governments had done their best. They are progressing in their programmes and initiatives to spread awareness by engaging various public figures from sports to cinema to curb the growing violence, brutality and inhumanity towards the most vulnerable section of our society that is women.

Some data and facts-

1. Women are consists of 67 per cent of world health care workers, they are naturally prone to infection, instead of saluting their bravery, valour and courage, we are busy in cruelty and barbarity.

2. Women burdened with three-times more unpaid care work than men, we should applaud the sacrifices they are making for their family and humanity.

3. Mostly women betrayed by their partner, the suffering and torment they face across society and to the family is unbearable. But since, they are women they have to bear everything. As the 'Simon de Beauvoir' quotes in her popular novel 'The Second Sex' that "women are not born but made".

Reasons for increasing domestic violence cases under lockdowns are-

1. Due to lockdown mobility comes under stricter control and led women in an abusive relationship of extremely high risks of damage from physical, sexual and emotionally abusive.

2. Due to closer of workplaces, school and colleges led a steady increase in rapes, sexual assault and violence against women and girls.

3. NGOs working in Sierra Leone reported an upshot in teenage pregnancy rates from rapes and assault, as young women and girls are much higher risk at home.

4.  In the case of India, newly married women are also facing domestic violence because of not giving expected dowry.



The government, NGOs and Religious organizations could play a very efficient and effective role to curtail the violence amid lockdown.


 First, the government should urgently provide a helpline number to women so that women could contact to the concerned authorities and tell the atrocities they are facing inside the house. Redressal of grievances should be solved as soon as possible to maintain the trust, certitude and faith in the democratic institutions.


Second, NGOs, after having legal permission from concerned authority by the government could serve as a foot soldier to contain the growing violence, as they often work at ground level. Since they have more awareness and information pertaining to local problems women face in rural and most backward areas so they could act as breakwater to storm. And by their experience, they could bring fruitful result.


Third, the religious institutions, the most respected organization, its leaders also have high stature and respect in a country like India where diverse religion exists. People once not follow or act order given by the government but they never defy or betray or turn traitor to their religious leaders. With the assistance of religious leaders, we could help and protect women from the violence they are facing domestically.


UN Women has said that " helplines, psychological support and online counselling should be boosted, using technology-based solutions such as SMS, online tools and networks to expand social support and to reach women with no access to phones or internet."

In Spain and France, women can go to a pharmacy and request a "Mask 19" a code word that will alert the pharmacists to contact the authorities.

 By looking towards the different strategies and technological tool which has been adopted by the different countries to prevent and curtail the violence against women. India should also adopt a strategy which suits its society and must coherent and inclusive to every woman from rural to urban, rich to poor and employed to jobless.


                           
Aspire To Run
Save Girl For Nation Foundation