Effect of COVID-19 Lockdown on Women Mental Health

Background: Coronavirus disease (COVID-19) is an infectious disease caused by a newly discovered coronavirus. The virus that causes COVID-19 is mainly transmitted through droplets generated when an infected person coughs, sneezes, or exhales and one can be infected by breathing in the virus if one is within close proximity of someone who has COVID-19, or by touching a contaminated surface and then your eyes, nose or mouth. On 24 March 2020, the Government of India ordered a nationwide lockdown in phases limiting movement and staying indoors for the entire 1.3 billion population of India as a preventive measure against the COVID-19 pandemic in India to contain the spread of coronavirus outbreak in India. The lockdown has impacted on the entire population of India and women are not an exception to this. Aim: The main objective of this research has been to study the effect of COVID-19 nationwide lockdown on the women population. Methodology:  The study was conducted via Google Forms using a semi-structured questionnaire. A total of 100 responses were recorded and taken for statistical analysis. Frequencies and percentages were done in terms of statistical analysis. Results: Majority of women participants reported of facing difficulty in managing domestic chores and office work, in case of working women. Women are also having feeling of tiredness with the burden of work and experiencing anxiety, depressive feelings, stress. However, women reported that mostly they are getting help from their spouse and other family members in managing their daily life activities. Conclusion: Women mental health is necessary and needs to be focused on. The COVID-19 pandemic lockdown has shed light on the importance of women’s mental health which in other situations is mostly ignored.