Domestic violence during COVID-19 pandemic: The case for Indian women.

Abstract

Domestic violence is one of the most pernicious gendered ailments of human society. Researchers have confirmed the inevitable consequences of domestic violence (physical, sexual, and emotional) in increased vulnerability to psychopathologies in addition to physical morbidity. Domestic violence cases are vast in India, and the numbers are further aggravated at an alarming rate during the COVID‐19 pandemic. The present study aimed at exploring the cases of domestic violence among Indian women during the COVID‐19 pandemic. Newspapers reporting the incidents of domestic violence during the last 5 years were analysed to explore the issues related to the surge in domestic violence incidents during the COVID‐19 lockdown period. A major increase in domestic violence cases was observed during the COVID‐19 period as compared to the previous years. Also, the cases were higher during the initial phases of the pandemic but gradually decreased as time progressed.The impact of the COVID‐19 pandemic on women was unprecedented and worse than before. Home containment as a measure to protect the health and well‐being of the general public has resulted in increased sufferings for women in terms of both sufferings from diseases and increased domestic violence.