Abstract
Women have long been facing oppression and violence. There are various forms of violence which include domestic violence, intimate partner violence, sexual harassment, sexual abuse and sexual exploitation. The violence against women is often associated with power and dominance. With the COVID-19 pandemic there has been a sudden increase of cases being reported of violence against women. It has been seen in various studies that whether it is a pandemic or natural disaster women face additional burden. As the number of COVID-19 cases increased, the Government of India took the step of lockdown to curb the spread but there were certain social discriminations which rose in the shadow of the pandemic. Men and women have been affected indifferently during the pandemic. The pandemic led to the loss of jobs of men and women. The men vented out their stress and frustration on the women. The women who lost their jobs became more dependent on abusive partners. The lockdown phase obstructed women seeking help when facing violence. The chapter focuses on complaints received by the authorities (National Commission for Women), the state-wise variation of crimes reported against women, cases of violence against women using newspaper articles, the impact on women and strategies to help women facing violence.
This is a preview of subscription content, log in via an institution.
Buying options
Tax calculation will be finalised at checkout
Purchases are for personal use only
Learn about institutional subscriptionsNotes
- 1.
- 2.
GBV is any harmful act that is perpetrated against someone’s will and based on socially ascribed gender differences and can include acts of physical, sexual or mental harm, and threats or acts of coercion in public or private (Inter Agency Standing Committee, 2015: 5).
- 3.
- 4.
- 5.
- 6.
- 7.
Emezue (2020).
- 8.
- 9.
References
Agnihotri, S., & Dainik Jagran. (2020). Domestic violence, murder and suicide increased after open wine shops. Retrieved April 15, 2021, from https://www.jagran.com/uttar-pradesh/kanpur-city-domestic-violence-murder-and-suicide-increased-after-open-wine-shops-20253265.html.
Bhattacharya, A., & Quartz India. (2020). Cases of domestic violence, cybercrime rose in India’s lockdown. Retrieved November 24, 2020, from https://qz.com/india/1882497/cases-of-domestic-violence-cybercrime-rose-in-indias-lockdown/.
Chakravarty, S., & Dainik Jagran. (2020). Incidents of domestic violence escalated due to opening of liquor shops, phones rang on dial 112. Retrieved April 15, 2021, from https://www.jagran.com/uttar-pradesh/varanasi-city-incidents-of-domestic-violence-escalated-due-to-opening-of-liquor-shops-phones-rang-on-dial-112-pirv-20247052.html.
Charkha Features, & Youth ki Awaaz. (2020). Retrieved November 24, 2020, from https://www.youthkiawaaz.com/2020/06/increasing-cases-of-cyber-crimes-against-women/.
Dang, H. A. H., & Nguyen, C. V. (2021). Gender Inequality during COVID-19 pandemic: Income, expenditure, savings, and job loss. World Development, 140, 105296, 1–10.
Deccan Chronicle Staff. (2020). Outrage in Kerala over sexual assault on COVID patients. Retrieved April 21, 2021, from https://www.deccanchronicle.com/nation/crime/080920/outrage-in-keralaover-sexual-assault-on-covid-patients. Not available currently.
Dixit, R., & The Week. (2020). Domestic violence against women on the rise amid nationwide lockdown. Retrieved November 24, 2020, from https://www.theweek.in/news/india/2020/04/02/domestic-violence-cases-against-women-on-the-rise-amid-nationwide-lockdown.html.
Dhamini, R., & The Hindustan Times. (2020). Domestic violence during Covid-19 lockdown emerges as serious concern. Retrieved April 15, 2021, from https://www.hindustantimes.com/india-news/domestic-violence-during-covid-19-lockdown-emerges-as-serious-concern/story-mMRq3NnnFvOehgLOOPpe8J.html.
DNA Web Team. DNA. (2020). Cyber crime against women at its peak, close to 60 percent victims of online abuse. Retrieved November 24, 2020, from https://www.dnaindia.com/india/report-dna-special-cybercrime-against-women-at-its-peak-close-to-60-percent-women-a-victim-of-online-abuse-2847984. Not available online currently.
Emezue, C. J. (2020). Digital or digitally delivered responses to domestic and intimate partner violence during COVID-19. JMIR Public Health Surveillance, 6, e19831. https://doi.org/10.2196/19831
Express News Service, & Indian Express. (2020). As govt eased curbs, crimes against women shot up in Himachal. Retrieved November 24, 2020, from https://indianexpress.com/article/cities/chandigarh/as-govt-eased-curbs-crimes-against-women-shot-up-in-himachal-6543014/.
Ghurye, G. S. (1969). Caste and race in India. Popular Prakashan.
Global is Asian Staff. Global is Asian. (2020). India’s shadow pandemic and trends of violence against women. Retrieved November 24, 2020, from https://lkyspp.nus.edu.sg/gia/article/india-s-shadow-pandemic-and-trends-of-violence-against-women.
Guenfound, I., & ABC News. (2020). French women use code words at pharmacies to escape domestic violence during coronavirus lockdown. Retrieved April 15, 2021, https://abcnews.go.com/International/frenchwomen-code-words-pharmacies-escape-domestic-violence/story?id=69954238
Guidorzi, B. (2020). “The Shadow Pandemic”: Addressing gender-based violence (GVB) during Covid-19. In P. Carmody, G. McCann, C. Colleran, & C. O’Halloran (Eds.), Covid-19 in the Global South (pp. 117–126). Bristol University Press. https://doi.org/10.2307/j.ctv18gfz7c.18
Harbishettar, V., & Suresh Bada Math. (2014). Violence against women in India: Comprehensive care for survivors. Indian Journal of Medical Research, 157–159.
India Today. (2020). New Delhi. Domestic violence spikes in lockdown, govt told to step in. Retrieved April 15, 2021, from https://www.indiatoday.in/mail-today/story/domestic-violence-spikes-in-lockdown-govt-told-to-step-in-1671460-2020-04-27
Inter-Agency Standing Committee. (2015). Guidelines for integrating gender-based violence interventions in humanitarian action: Reducing risk, promoting resilience and aiding recovery. IASC
Jadhav, R., & The Hindu Business Line. (2020). Pune. Abuse of women at home rose during lockdown. Retrieved April 15, 2021, from https://www.thehindubusinessline.com/data-stories/data-focus/abuse-of-women-at-home-rose-during-lockdown/article33060560.ece
Kaur, R., & Garg, S. (2008). Addressing domestic violence against women: An unfinished agenda. Indian Journal of Community Medicine, 33, 73–76.
Krishnaraj, M. (2007). Understanding violence against women. Economical and Political Weekly, 42(44), 90–91.
Kumar, V., & Dainik Jagran. (2020a). Woman’s arm broken due to beating. Retrieved April 15, 2021, from https://www.jagran.com/punjab/ludhiana-woman-arm-broken-due-to-beating-by-husband-mother-in-law-and-father-in-law-20378905.html
Kumar, V., & Dainik Jagran. (2020b). Case against husband for forcing wife to commit suicide, Chandigarh News. Retrieved April 15, 2021, from https://www.jagran.com/punjab/chandigarh-case-against-husband-for-forcing-wife-to-commit-suicide-20237288.html
Maji, S., Bansod, S., & Singh, T. (2021). Domestic violence during COVID-19 pandemic: The case study for Indian women. Journal of Community & Applied Social Psychology, 1–8.
Malik, S., & Naeem, K. (2020). Impact of Covid-19 pandemic on women: Health, livelihoods and domestic violence. Sustainable Development Policy Institute.
Mencher, P. J. (1974). The caste system upside down. In D. Gupta (Ed.), Social stratification. Oxford University Press.
Morens, D. M., Gregory, K. F., & Anthony, S. F. (2009). “What is a pandemic?” The Journal of Infectious Diseases, 200(7), 1018–1021.
Nagpal, A. (2020). Activists urge roping in ASHA workers and other novel approaches as domestic violence rises during lockdowns. India Spend. Retrieved April 15, 2021, from https://www.indiaspend.com/activists-urge-roping-in-asha-workers-and-other-novel-approaches-as-domestic-violence-rises-during-lockdowns/
National Commission for Women. (2020). Nature wise report of the complaints by NCW in the year: 2020.
National Crime Record Bureau. (2017–2019). Crime against women (IPC+SLL). Retrieved November 15, 2020, from https://ncrb.gov.in/sites/default/files/crime_in_india_table_additional_table_chapter_reports/Table%203A.1_2.pdf
National Herald. (2020). NCW received 2043 complaints of crimes against women in June, highest in 8 months. Retrieved November 24, 2020, from https://www.nationalheraldindia.com/national/ncw-receives-2043-complaints-of-crimes-against-women-in-june-highest-in-8-months
NE Now News. (2020). Northeast Now. Assam Tripura among states registering maximum domestic violence case during lockdown. Retrieved November 24, 2020, from https://nenow.in/north-east-news/assam/assam-tripura-among-states-registering-maximum-domestic-violence-case-during-lockdown-ncw.html
Nigam, S. (2020). COVID-19, lockdown and violence against women in homes. independent research. ORCID 0000-0002-9518-4804.
Pachchigar, J., & Times of India. (2020). Retrieved April 15, 2021, from https://timesofindia.indiatimes.com/city/vadodara/defeated-in-online-ludo-man-breaks-wifes-spine/articleshow/75394992.cms
PACS INDIA. What is social exclusion? Retrieved March 31, 2021, from www.pacsindia.org/about_pacs/what-is-social-exclusion.
Pandit, A., & Times of India. (2020). Domestic violence accounts for over 47% complaints to NCW in lockdown. Retrieved April 15, 2021, from https://timesofindia.indiatimes.com/india/domestic-violence-accounts-for-over-47-complaints-to-ncw-in-lockdown/articleshow/76161829.cms
Peterman, A., & O’Donnell, M. Covid-19 and violence against women and children. Center for Global Development.
Popay, J, Escorel, S., Hernandez, M., Johnston, H., Mathieson, J., & Rispel, L. (2008). Understanding and tackling social exclusion. Final Report to the WHO Commission on Social Determinants of Health From the Social Exclusion Knowledge Network. World Health Organization.
Rakshit, D., & The Swaddle. (2020). Retrieved November 24, 2020, https://theswaddle.com/cybercrime-cases-against-women-spike-under-covid19-lockdown/
Rukmini, S. A. (2020). Retrieved April 15, 2021, https://www.aljazeera.com/news/2020/04/locked-abusers-india-domestic-violence-surge-200415092014621.html
Singh, Y. (1994). Modernization of Indian tradition: A systematic study of social change. Rawat Publications.
Srinivas, M. N. (1952, March 1). Social anthropology and sociology. SAGE Journals.
Srivastava, R., & Reuters. (2020). Retrieved April 15, 2021, from https://www.reuters.com/article/us-health-coronavirus-india-abortion-trf/abortion-in-a-lockdown-india-says-yes-but-women-wonder-how-idUSKCN21Y2HO
Suhasini, L., & Vogue India. (2020). Vogue warriors: Meet the social entrepreneur leading the fight against the rising rate of cyber crime during the lockdown. Vogue India.
The Economic Times. (2020). The Economic Times. Retrieved November 24, 2020, from https://cio.economictimes.indiatimes.com/news/digital-security/significant-increase-in-cybercrime-against-women-during-lockdown-experts/75500549
The Hindu. (2020). Cybercrimes against women on the rise. Retrieved January 15, 2021, from https://www.thehindu.com/news/national/andhra-pradesh/cyber-crimes-against-women-on-the-rise/article32399536.ece
The Wire Staff. (2020). Delhi: 14-year-old sexually assaulted at COVID care centre. Retrieved April 15, 2021, from https://thewire.in/rights/delhi-14-year-old-sexually-assaulted-covid-care-centre
Thomas, B., & Bangalore Mirror. (2020). Nightmare in HSR quarantine centre. Retrieved April 15, 2021, from https://bangaloremirror.indiatimes.com/bangalore/cover-story/nightmare-in-hsr-quarantine-centre/articleshow/76473988.cms
Tyagi, T., & The Hindustan Times. (2020). Child helpline receives double the usual number of calls amid lockdown. Retrieved April 15, 2021, from https://www.hindustantimes.com/noida/child-helpline-receives-double-the-usual-number-of-calls-amid-lockdown/story-gzup46Dt2U66be8TvMkoRK.html
United Nations. (1993). Declaration on the elimination of violence against women. Gathering a body of global agreements, A/RES/48/104. Retrieved November 22, 2020, from http://www.un-documents.net/a48r104.htm
UN Women. (2020). The first 100 days of the COVID-19 outbreak in Asia and the Pacific: A gender lens. UN women regional office for Asia and the Pacific. Bangkok. Retrieved April 15, 2021, from https://asiapacific.unwomen.org/en/digitallibrary/publications/2020/04/the-first-100-days-of-he-covid-19-outbreak-in-asia-and-thethepacific
Vaeza, M. N. & UN Chronicle. (2020). Addressing the impact of the COVID-19 pandemic on violence against women and girls. Retrieved April 15, 2021, from https://www.un.org/en/addressing-impact-covid-19-pandemic-violence-against-women-and-girls
Velaskar, P. (2012). Structural subordination of Dalit women. In I. Qadeer (Ed.), Glimmerings of an awakening—Dalit women’s health and rights. Yatra/Penguin (Hindi). Zubaan (English translation available)
Vora, M., Malathesh, B. C., Das, S., & Chatterjee, S. S. (2020). COVID-19 and domestic violence against women. Asian Journal of Psychiatry, 1–2.
Vranda, M. N., & Febna, M. (2020). Response to sexual and gender-based violence against women during COVID-19. Indian Journal of Psychological Medicine, 42(6), 582–584.
Walby, S. (1990). Theorizing patriarchy. In Introduction (pp. 1–25). Basil Blackwell Ltd.
WHO. (2005). Multi-Country study on women’s health and domestic violence against women. Retrieved November 15, 2020, from www.who.int/reproductivehealth/publications/violence/9241593512/en/index.html.
World Health Organization. (2010). WHO. Retrieved March 31, 2021, from https://www.who.int/csr/disease/swineflu/frequently_asked_questions/pandemic/en/.
World Health Organization. (2021, March 9). Violence against women. https://www.who.int/news-room/factsheets/detail/violence-against-women. Accessed 31 Mar 2021.
WHO, LSHTM, SAMRC. (2013). Global and regional estimates of violence against women: Prevalance and health effects of intimate partner violence and non-partner sexual violence. WHO.
Yadav, B. (2009). Khap panchayats: Stealing poverty. Economic and Political Weekly, 44(52), 16–19.
Acknowledgements
We dedicate this paper to the women, who have been the victim of patriarchy, the physical and mental violence throughout the lockdown and so. We would also like to thank several authors including student researchers who have researched thoroughly on this topic; their contribution helped us to write on this topic.
Author information
Authors and Affiliations
Editor information
Editors and Affiliations
Rights and permissions
Copyright information
© 2022 The Author(s), under exclusive license to Springer Nature Singapore Pte Ltd.
About this chapter
Cite this chapter
Mukhopadhyay, T., Roy, S. (2022). COVID-19 and Violence Against Women in India. In: Acharya, S.S., Christopher, S. (eds) Caste, COVID-19, and Inequalities of Care. People, Cultures and Societies: Exploring and Documenting Diversities . Springer, Singapore. https://doi.org/10.1007/978-981-16-6917-0_13
Download citation
DOI: https://doi.org/10.1007/978-981-16-6917-0_13
Published:
Publisher Name: Springer, Singapore
Print ISBN: 978-981-16-6916-3
Online ISBN: 978-981-16-6917-0
eBook Packages: Social SciencesSocial Sciences (R0)