Gender-Based Violence: The Hidden War in Covid 19?

Simran Massey (CEO, Rising Gaea)

#genderbased #violence #right #covid19 #intimatepartner #sexualabuse #publichealth

As the pandemic rages, women and girls face intensified risks. Undoubtedly, epidemics increase the risk of domestic abuse and other precarious forms of gender-based violence. The economic effects of the Coronavirus outbreak has led to exacerbated sexual exploitation risks for women and young girls, making them face heightened tensions and intensified vulnerabilities. We must ponder and ask ourselves the pertinent question- How is Coronavirus leading to Corona-violence?

Symonds (1979) stated that injured birds are often driven from the flock or sick animals outcast from the herd. She implied that the same phenomenon may occur with abused women. Staying at home during a lockdown is not something that most of these abused women can afford. They’re stuck between the devil and the deep blue sea, furthering perpetuating their trauma. Since the COVID-19 outbreak, there have been rising reports of domestic violence. During quarantine, the courts do not work, claims are not accepted, abusers are not isolated and women have to continue living with their abusers.

Epidemics are just like a conflict situation. You have a loss of governance; you have chaos and instability; and all of this leaves women vulnerable to gender-based violence. As much as gender-based prejudice and inequality violates human rights, stymies social and economic development and crushes the hopes and dreams of millions of young girls and women, it also has a grave impact on public health and well-being.

Intimate Partner Violence (IPV) is the most common form of gender-based violence, a global health problem and a widespread human rights violation. The World Health Organization report indicates that the proportion of women who have faced physical or sexual assault or both by an intimate partner ranges from 15% to 71% globally. In light of recent events, WHO pronounced that the likelihood of the occurrence of intimate partner violence is expected to increase as social distancing has caused people to stay at home for longer durations which fuels the need to exert power in the powerless situation that men are stuck in.

Unlike the invisible Covid enemy, we can tackle and help prevent this neglected war on domestic abuse. IPV prevention programming has the potential to significantly improve gendered power relations in communities and to have a positive impact on women, men, households and communities.

“There is no gate, no lock, no bolt that you can set upon the freedom of my mind” - Virginia Woolf

Indubitably, women have a creative power that differs substantially from that of men. Woolf (2004) argued that education should bring out those differences rather than enforcing similarity which, in turn, would enhance the richness and variety of human culture. To have even a fighting chance of eliminating gender bias, we need to evolve new thought processes and advocate these to our next generation.

Domestic Violence has been recognised as a public health emergency as it impedes the mental and physical development and well-being of women violating their basic human rights. Thus, health systems must be prepared to provide essential support to survivors of gender-based violence. Therefore, policymakers are urged to include women’s perspectives in pandemic planning and decision-making. Now is the time to be even bolder!

- Simran Massey

CEO, Rising Gaea

REFERENCES:

Symonds, A. (1979). Violence against Women: The Myth of Masochism. American Journal of Psychotherapy, 33(2), 161–173

Woolf, V. (2004). A Room of One's Own. Penguin Books.