Domestic Violence During A Global Pandemic: The Hidden Crisis

Beneath the surface of a global pandemic lurks a human rights crisis for women.

- Shilpa Roy

The World Population report by the United Nations Population Fund (UNFPA) warns that the pandemic could reverse the entire milestone achieved in the fight against human rights. Data suggests that pandemics and epidemics have always affected women in far greater ways than men. One of the most serious blows to the dignity of the women amidst this pandemic is the increase in cases of domestic violence. With a surge in domestic violence cases across the world, Phumzile Mlambo-Ngcuka, Executive Director of UN Women, has termed this increase in violence as a “shadow pandemic”. Some of the reasons for physical as well as verbal abuse as reported are not serving food on time, loss of a job, not being able to procure ration, etc. However, as said by Rev. Donna Mulvey “When it comes to abuse, there is no way out. But there is always help. There is a way out”

Disturbing rise