Before Pandemic
Earlier when any girl faced eve-teasing on street, molestation at work, rape threats, or rape, people suggested not to step out of their home to be more safe and sound. In fact, in the brutal gang rape of Nirbhaya in 2012, one of the opposition lawyers said in a media conference that a girl should stay at home to avoid these situations. Later he used the same statement in the Court also.
In The Pandemic
As 2020 rolled in, from North India to South India, the roads were clear and the offices were empty but the homes were filled with victims and their known abusers.
The whole nation was struggling with the Covid-19 pandemic but women were facing two pandemics simultaneously. The silent pandemic of rape, domestic violence, sexual harassment, and household work burden for women. When the Government announced that people had to stay at home during the Lockdown, this silent pandemic started.
As the Covid-19 cases rose, the number of crimes against women also increased. Every new morning started with reports of fresh rapes, murders, and harassment of women. The National Commission for Women (NCW) received more than 13,000 complaints of domestic violence during the lockdown (March to September).
Silent Pandemic
Starting from North to South, Uttar Pradesh (5,470), Delhi (1,697), Maharashtra (865), Haryana (731)and Bihar (659), Rajasthan (572), Madhya Pradesh (479), West Bengal (342), Tamilnadu (341), Karnataka (322) are the 10 states which had the most complaints registered by women during the lockdown.
Yet one thing is very clear. for women, negative consequences are disproportionate everywhere. These issues also differ with age, sexual orientation, economic class, race, religion, and physical abilities. Even though women weren’t the only group made to stay home during the pandemic, the domestic work burden increased on female members of the home only. Both men and women but the economic distress and job losses led to more domestic violence which includes emotional, physical, and/or sexual harm.
Nandita Das, an actor, and director has released a short film on the real scenario of women in lockdown. “Listen to her!” is a seven-minute short film that shows the overburdening of responsibilities, rising cases of domestic violence. The film gives you a small insight into what’s going on in society, according to the statistics the number of complaints registered is increasing day by day.
Notion For The Rescue
The police, the activists, the counsellors, and the NGOs are working for women even in the pandemic. In an interview with The Hindu, Rekha Sharma, the National Commission For Women (NCW) chairperson, said that in the first lockdown they received 257 online complaints and it doubled in the second lockdown.
Even when the services by NCW and other NGOs were working many people were not aware of it. Delhi-based Jagori’s medical counsellor Sunita Thakur, throws the light on other challenges they faced during the pandemic like they were not able to visit the victim personally, there were difficulties in taking follow-ups, also with the police and doctors were totally occupied with Coronavirus patients, it was difficult to coordinate and help victims. The only way they could help was by training victims about self-security strategies on call.
On an individual level, starting from our home we should ensure that men and boys share domestic and care work equally. We should raise our voice whenever we see something wrong going on in the family or in society and should help those who are vulnerable. Our one change can change someone’s life.