IS HOME A SAFE SPACE?
Covid-19 did not come to play. It ensured that the world at large properly understood quarantine and what it entailed. It painted a new picture of our routine ushering us to a new normal. We have not only experienced social distancing and quarantine but are also fully aware of the best alcohol-based sanitizers and the infamous N-95mask.
Working remotely is the new norm. We don't have boardrooms any more hence Zoom is the tool at hand. We are staying home, by doing so the chances of contracting the virus are reduced. The hashtag kaa nyumbani komesha corona is making rounds on different social media platforms. This acts as a means of reiterating the message. For most of us, staying home is a no brainer. It's home after all, where the heart is.
The conditions created by the pandemic favor most issues among them Gender-Based Violence. Gender-Based Violence cases have hit an all-time high since the lockdown. In different countries, the hotlines have been lighting up with abusive reports from victims of GBV. The perpetrators being both men and women, lovers who turn against each other.
Home is clearly not a haven for everyone. For some, it's a negative trigger. Driving home comes with it’s own trauma. Home for some is a place associated with pain. With the ravaging Covid-19 cases this is no different. Tensions are high in most household, this can be attributed to the lockdown, financial stress and overthinking. Couples in unhealthy relationships are having it harder. As each day passes the cases continue to increase.
The GBV cases are not only women related. Termed as the invincible victim, men too are part of the injured party. Every 14.6 seconds a man is abused by the wife or girlfriend. The cases are rarely reported, as most men can’t reconcile with the fact that they have been mishandled by a woman. With the pandemic, these cases are on the rise and experts say things will graduate from bad to worse. The victims have nowhere to run to as most shelters and correctional centers have been closed because of the virus. The resources available for GBV cases are fragile in a normal situation, with the pandemic the resources cannot cater to the surge of cases. This leaves the victims at the mercy of their perpetrators.
Eventually, the lockdowns will end. But as the confinement drags on, the danger seems likely to intensify. Studies show that abusers are more likely to murder their partners and others in the wake of personal crises, including lost jobs or major financial setbacks. With Covid-19 ravaging the economy, such crises are set to become much more frequent.~Amanda Taub