Need for a dignified space: violence against women during COVID-19

Gender based violence is an affliction that women worldwide have been fighting since ages. However the efforts to claim dignity and equality receive a setback during the emergency situations such as pandemics as the multifarious hardships faced by the general populace result in widespread frustration, economic struggles, and a range of negative impacts. Entrenched patriarchy and gender supremacy make women a channel to release this negativity. They stand to lose on multiple fronts as the weaker sex; increased mental stress, denial of dignity, safety, economic independence, access to health services, and traditional support systems inflict a double impact of pandemics on women. This paper delves into the various facets of Covid-19 induced violence against women, records the efforts done by the governments worldwide to tackle the same and suggests ways to not only mitigate the present crisis at homes but also to cure the deeper malaise that deprives women of a dignified space in homes and in the society.