COVID-19 has changed the lives of millions of people – some in a good way while some in a bad way. There is the existence of two different scenarios when it comes to gender inequality. This just proves we have a long way to go to protect ourselves.
There has been a tremendous increase in the violence against women during the pandemic, which can be attributed to the synergistic effect of the mental trauma that COVID-19 has brought, the implementation of lockdown, and the unemployment of men in various households across the country.
There have been reports of an increase in physical, mental, and even sexual abuse during the covid crisis.
The first thing we as citizens can do is to raise our voices against this great injustice, to motivate the suffering women to raise their voice, to help them help themselves to overcome the great trauma – both physically and mentally. There should be immense media coverage on this issue, and a combined approach has to be taken by the citizens, local NGOs, and the government. There should be a hotline number available to call out for help against such crimes.
This is not just a matter of gender inequality, but a matter of human respect. Every human irrespective of their gender deserve to be respected. Every woman deserves respect, and every girl deserves to dream of a life with no violence. COVID-19 or no COVID-19 – silence on violence against women is unacceptable.