Impact of the COVID-19 pandemic on domestic violence in Bangladesh.

Dear Editor,

The alarming situation of COVID-19 making the world apparent by its devastating character in enormous spheres. During this pandemic, suicide, domestic violence, mental disorders, anxiety, depressive disorders are already increasing worldwide (Tandon, 2020). In March 2020, the UK-based newspaper, the Guardian, stated that the coronavirus would fuel domestic violence (Mahdawi, 2020). During the lockdowns in all 193 UN member countries, including Bangladesh, the United Nations Population Fund (UNFPA) predicted a 20 percent increase in domestic violence during the pandemic (United Nations Population Fund (UNFPA, 2020).

In Bangladesh, there is growing evidence that domestic violence acts as an opportunistic infection that thrives in the pandemic’s situations. Lockdown can also create a situation in which the victim cannot move out of the home to seek appropriate help and is more likely to be cut off from their normal support systems (Jahid, 2020).

In the case of domestic violence, it is mostly perpetrated by family members who abuse, attack, humiliate, and torture women and children. There are numerous reports and unreported domestic violence cases in Bangladesh, including physical, verbal, financial, psychological, and sexual abuse. The consequences of COVID-19 also limit access to life-saving resources for survivors of violence and those at risk, such as psycho-social, health, and safety programs (Ali, 2020). A recent survey conducted by a local human rights organization, the Manusher Jonno Foundation (MJF), in 27 out of 64 districts in Bangladesh, 4,249 women, and 456 children were found to have been subjected to domestic violence in April 2020. Of these victims, 1,672 women and 424 children were facing violence for the first time in their lives. The women, who faced first time domestic violence blamed the lockdown for their situation. Furthermore, the statistics cannot show the real violence scenario against children and women taking place across during lockdown (Manusher Jonno Foundation (MJF, 2020a).

The scarcity of social activities and financial pressures are increasing rifts within families. Men are frustrated about losing their jobs because of the COVID-19 lockdown. Some may express their frustration by humiliating their wives. The MJF interviewed about 53,340 women and children for the study in May 2020. The data show that 2,085 women were physically abused, 4,947 mentally abused, 404 sexually abused, and some 3,589 faced financial constraints imposed by their husbands (Manusher Jonno Foundation (MJF, 2020b). In June 2020, the survey about 57,704 women and children and the data show that 4,622 women were mentally tortured, 1,839 were physically abused, 203 sexually abused, and 3,009 women faced financial constraints imposed by their husbands (Manusher Jonno Foundation (MJF, 2020c).

Domestic violence in Bangladesh includes dowry-related violence, child marriage, marital rape or violence, physical torture, verbal abuse, harassment, and humiliation (Rahman, 2019). Rapes and sexual assaults occur even during the pandemic, both inside homes and outside (Jahid, 2020). Married women are physically and mentally tortured by husbands, husbands’ families, and their own family members. Another report showed that from January to June 2020, a total of 107 women were murdered by their husbands, but only 74 cases are filed. The husband’s family members murdered 30 women, and their own family members murdered 26 women. Among them, only 33 cases were filed (Ain O Salish Kendra, 2020). Domestic violence has internalized social norms and practices in both rural and urban areas of Bangladesh. Victims are also sent back to their abusive husbands from their family homes because it affects her family’s reputation. This is a situation with which we are all too familiar and has resulted in tragic outcomes for some of these victims (Ali, 2020).

The government, non-governmental organizations (NGOs), community-based organizations (CBOs), voluntary organizations, and religious leaders should use various media and platforms to raise awareness. Social media should be used as a forum to raise awareness of domestic violence. Also, law enforcement agencies need to have more operational tools available to respond and take appropriate action at all levels, such as district and sub-district levels and village areas. There is a need to introduce dedicated and responsive emergency helpline numbers and websites. Domestic violence services should be classified as “essential,” and support workers should be classified as “key” workers. The government, non-governmental organizations (NGOs), and youth-led projects should start free tele-counseling or video counseling services for mental health support. If we know any family members, relatives, or neighbors are victims of domestic abuse, we need to look out for one another even in the time of social distancing. COVID-19 may leave Bangladesh, but the long-lasting impact of violence during lockdown days may haunt the victims. Therefore, a basic safety net programs must be provided to some of the most at risk women and children.

Funding

This research received no specific grant from any funding agency in the public or commercial agency.

Declaration of Competing Interest

The authors report no declarations of interest.