The Pandemic behind Closed Doors
By Ayesha Khaliq
The COVID-19 is affecting everyone and everything but it affects men and women differently. As the pandemic has led to global social distancing to slow down the spread of the contagious virus, everyone is recommended to stay at home. This, however, is problematic for women who stay with abusive partners. One is not safe within the house neither outside. Quarantine measures have put women and girls at a heightened risk of violence and in the current circumstance cutting them off from protective and essential services. The lockdown situation can reinforce the attitudes and practices that can hold back women and girls. This increased tension and frustration among people have also greatly contributed to rising domestic violence cases. Domestic pressures along with social, economic and health crisis acts as a pressure cooker on men who are already violent and abusive. While domestic violence is the immediate problem of the pandemic but in the long term, it will have multiple consequences on the women’s mental and reproductive health, unwanted pregnancy, on their education and their jobs. The collateral damage of the pandemic would be higher than the damage caused by the pandemic itself.
Due to the movement restriction, the only possible way for them to communicate is through helplines. Evidence from several reports has shown that there has been an increase in the number of victims calling on helplines. As per the National Commission for Women (NCW) records since lockdown, they received around 587 complaints with the highest number relating to domestic violence. They launched a WhatsApp number to help victims in reaching out to them. While some NGOs have noticed a decrease in calls during afternoons on weekdays with a large surge in volume late at night. This might unfortunately not give a full picture either, as there would be cases where women have limited or no opportunity to make calls without their partners noticing it.
Policies that are intended to control the pandemic tend to be gender-insensitive. Violence against women and girls (VAWG) is a human rights violation and this gendered crisis must be taken into account with appropriate policies and action.
What can be done if someone is experiencing domestic violence at home?
• If you know someone is facing abuse reach out them and try to connect virtually.
• One of the most important step is to listen to them and be supportive.
• Advice them to make a safety plan like- informing the women helpline or their friends and neighbors.
• It is essential to document the abuse. Record the details of the abuse with the time, date and other details that can act as proof.
• Make a list of situations to identify the triggers that could lead to violence and abuse.
• Keep a list of trusted contacts who can help you out in an emergency
• Always have the numbers of the women helpline and the police.
These are the steps that can be taken at an individual level. However, it is high time that the administration and the law agencies recognize the gravity of this situation. They need to ensure a better responsive police force and other government agencies who take these domestic violence cases seriously and aren’t dismissive of it. One cannot put women’s lives in danger and wait until the pandemic is over to address these issues.
Please reach out to the following for any assistance:
CSR Crisis Intervention Counsellors: Kamlesh Premi (+919810999398), Rakhi Sharma (+91 9213732208)
The NCW WhatsApp number (+91 7217735372)
WPC for legal counselling on domestic violence: Gayatri (+91 9711687804)
Shelter homes are open and functional for those who require accommodation. The following are the list of some shelters: Shakti Shalini- 1091/1291(011) 233317004 Shakti Shalini Women’s Shelter- (011) 24373736/24373737
SAARTHAK- (011) 26853846/26520461
AIWC- 10921/ (011) 23389680 JAGORI- (011) 26692700
Joint Women’s Programme- (011) 24619821 Sakshi (Violence intervention centre)- (0124) 2562336/5018873
Saheli- (011) 24616485
RAHI- (011) 26238466/26224042, 26227647