Locked in: An Evidence based Study on Domestic Violence during COVID-19 in the Hilly Region of India
DOI:
https://doi.org/10.37506/ijphrd.v12i3.16030Keywords:
Domestic Violence, Covid19, Lockdown, Uttarakhand, IndiaAbstract
The study assesses the cases of domestic violence during Covid19 Lockdown in the Uttarakhand stateof
India.The Covid19 pandemic and subsequent lockdown has ledto social isolation, curtailment of social
support system and increased incidences of domestic violence againstwomen in India and Uttarakhand in
particular. Many steps have been taken by governments including helpline and counselling services. This
article conducted follow up survey on 50 women to understand their experience of domestic violence in
Uttarakhand.Since the implications of Covid19 is different than other emergencies so far, the reported cases
of our study on domestic violence capture negative as well as positive consequences of it on individuals
and families The sociologist MarianneHester argued that ‘domestic violence goes up whenever families
spend more time together’.As the National Commission for Women report suggests Uttarakhand has highest
reporting cases of violence during lockdown. Our research finds that lockdown triggers the incidence of
domestic violence in this state. Most of the women are burdened due to lockdown. Financial burden, anger,
anxiety of husband has pushed the incidence of violence. Most of the men ventilates anger, anxiety on
women without their fault.