Domestic Violence Against Women in India: A Shadow Pandemic

Many countries engulfed in the lockdown due to covid-19, almost five billion sheltering at home from the epidemic; though it as a protective measure it has invited another dramatic turn in terms of growing domestic violence against women in India. In the run-up to the announcement of the nationwide lockdown on March 24th, 2020, the government was unable to craft strategies to address possible fallout in several areas. One such area that went unaddressed was domestic violence. As more states report rise in infections and strict measures called during lockdown, more domestic violence helplines rung to its peak alarming help to reach the women under distress ambit domestic violence. Certain studies, over the years, have shown a direct link between times of crisis like these and interpersonal violence. Pandemics provide for an enabling environment of fear and uncertainty that may exacerbate diverse forms of violence against women. Moreover, Mandatory stay-at-home rules, economic insecurity, financial instability, and isolation are also some of the factors that contribute to making domestic violence even more prevalent. Unfortunately, domestic violence cases are underreported across the world, especially in times of global emergencies like COVID-19