Domestic violence: India's shadow pandemic

When the world's biggest lockdown began on 23rd March 2020, the government's main concern was maintaining the safety of the citizens. While many enjoyed the comfort of their homes, the worst lay in store for the women for whom danger lurked inside their homes - domestic violence victims.

Between 23 March and 16 April, 2020 - roughly the first three weeks of the lockdown - the National commission for women received 239 complaints of domestic violence, a drastic increase from the 123 complaints received before the lockdown. The worst part was the fact that this was just a fraction of the total cases, the majority of which go unreported.

Lakhs of women in India today are confined in spaces with their abusers, with little or no chance to escape their brutalities. With added financial stress and anxiety during this period, cases of gender-based violence have soared exorbitantly. India’s National Family Health Survey reveals that close to 42% of men agree that a husband is justified in hitting or beating his wife. Another alarming statistic reveals that one - third of India’s women have experienced some form of physical, emotional or sexual violence in their lifetime.

Though foundations have set up helplines and shelters, the workforce has been stretched during this pandemic. The government should declare the protection of these victims as an essential service so that the pandemic of domestic violence comes to an end.

The biggest fact to consider in this scenario is that marital rape is still legal in our country. Marriage is considered to be "implied consent" by a woman, clearly stated in the Indian Penal Code. I'll give you a moment to take that in.

If we fail to recognise the rights of a woman to receive justice against gender-based violence, how can we wish to bring an end to it? Are we going to be blinded by this flaw in our legal system for many more years to come? These questions require a concrete and definite answer or the pandemic of domestic violence will cast its evil shadows over the nation for ages from now.

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Writer: Mannat Kandal

Image courtesy: stopdomesticabu.org