A Review of Domestic Violence against Women in India during Lockdown

International Journal of Innovation, Creativity and Change

13 Pages Posted: 1 Nov 2020

See all articles by Suman Singh

Suman Singh

Banaras Hindu University (BHU)

Rituparna Bhattacharyya

Alliance for Community Capacity Building in North East India

Date Written: September 30, 2020

Abstract

The COVID-19 pandemic has forced millions of people all over the world to restrict themselves under various forms of home quarantine. While lockdowns have been imposed for the health and safety of its citizens, it has exacerbated a variety of socioeconomic problems such as escalation of domestic violence (DV); with complaints in India among them. Due to the spiralling of DV cases, in 2005 the Government of India passed the Domestic Violence Act that intensified work around this public health issue. The principal objective of this study is to critically analyse available instances of DV in India during quarantine and deduce the reasons for the same. The findings suggest that the primary reasons for increased instances of DV are unemployment and frustration due to restricted access to and or availability of alcohol after a lengthy ban. Nonetheless, inadequate evidence poses a current challenge to link DV and lockdown. Arguably, the Domestic Violence Act has failed to reduce DV cases not only during lockdown but also pre- and post-lockdown in India. This review suggests for a comprehensive nationwide study, utilising the data available by government organizations that record DV complaints. Alongside, it argues for further rigorous amendment of Domestic Violence Act, 2005.

Keywords: Domestic Violence, Gendered Violence, COVID-19 Pandemic, Lockdown, Indian women

JEL Classification: 118, 119

Suggested Citation

Singh, Suman and Bhattacharyya, Rituparna, A Review of Domestic Violence against Women in India during Lockdown (September 30, 2020). International Journal of Innovation, Creativity and Change, Available at SSRN: https://ssrn.com/abstract=3720489

Suman Singh

Banaras Hindu University (BHU) ( email )

Varanasi
Uttar Pradesh
Varanasi, Uttar Pradesh 221005
India

Rituparna Bhattacharyya (Contact Author)

Alliance for Community Capacity Building in North East India ( email )

57, Newington Drive
Preston Grange
North Shields, NE29 9JA
United Kingdom

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