Shadow Pandemic

Women’s rights organisations are seeing a spurt in domestic violence cases during the lockdown. Activists demand a change in mindset and better implementation of existing laws to battle this global scourge

- Kunal Purandare

Arpita Banerjee (name changed) was looking forward to welcoming her second baby later this year. However, her world came crashing down during the nationwide lockdown when her husband repeatedly thrashed her under the smallest of pretexts. Unable to bear the physical and mental abuse, the seven-month-pregnant Kolkata resident in her 30s walked 10 km with her five-year-old daughter to her mother’s place. She wasn’t welcomed there either as their house was small, so she relocated to her sister’s residence. But it wasn’t a permanent solution. In the absence of any other option, she settled for an overcrowded shelter home.

In Uttar Pradesh, another woman conceived during the lockdown. Her family’s financial condition was so acute that she did not wish to have the child in such precarious times. Upset over this, her husband beat her mercilessly for a couple of days and sent her to her maternal home for good.

Incidents of domestic violence like these have been on the rise since the lockdown came into effect in the wake of the coronavirus pandemic in endMarch. Community centres and non-government organisations (NGO) Forbes India spoke to admit to have seen a spike in calls for help between April and June. While they say many are follow-up cases, several women are reporting abuse for the first time and requesting immediate intervention.