An appeal from UN Chief Antonio Guterres that calls for measures to address a “horrifying global surge in domestic violence” directed towards women and girls, linked to lockdown imposed, on his twitter raises an issue of utter shame for Humanity at this hour of crisis.
It is considered that homes are the safest place for an individual but what about these women and girls who are facing violence at their own houses? Reportedly in many countries, the situation has worsened because of the lockdown that took place to avoid spread of Covid-19.
In France, domestic violence rates surged by one third in a week. In South Africa, authorities received nearly 90,000 reports of violence against women in the first week of its lockdown. Australia’s government says online searches for support on domestic violence have risen 75%, while in Turkey, activists are demanding greater protections after the killing of women rose sharply after a stay at home order was issued March 11. While in Lebanon and Malaysia, for example, have seen the number of calls to helplines double, compared with the same month last year; in China they have tripled; and in Australia, search engines such as Google are seeing the highest magnitude of searches for domestic violence help in the past five years.
One of the three women in world experience physical or sexual violence in their lifetime, acc. To World Health Organization, making it, “the most widespread but amongst the least reported human rights abuses.” But the rise of gender-biased violence always escalates during wars, epidemics and natural disasters.
Why Does it Happen ?
Ray Jones said, “We know that domestic violence is rooted in Power and Control.” Right now each one of us is facing a lack of control in their lives; many are facing major downfall in their businesses, some men have lost their jobs and moreover sitting at home during quarantine have left people frustrated and tensed. And for these “men”, their partners are a perfect option to ooze out their frustration. What a shame!The crisis has further made it difficult for these women to take any medical assistance.
This “Inmate Terrorism” is a result of the patriarchal society, where men think it as their natural right to abuse their female partners. The excited and angered mind with the innate feeling of superiority makes it difficult for them to understand how inhuman it is to sexually, physically or mentally abuse your partner or any woman. It will not come in a day, it is the duty of the parents to grow their boy child into a well thought gentlemen, teaching them the true values of equality and emotion management. Similarly, a girl child must grow strong enough to stand for herself and speak against any abuse.
No family would want their girl to be treated in the same way, as they are treating the other!
Lets Understand
It is important to understand that this upsurge in anger must be controlled and for that, if only one is willing to do so, Meditation & Yoga plays a very important role. Calming your mind by merely sitting and practicing few breathing patterns or for that matter simple deep breathing will help you control your anger. At this time of home quarantine, listening to positive thoughts and reading good books will direct the energy in the right direction.
You can also always remember this very important example from the life history of a great philosopher, George Gurdjieff , “where he mentioned that I have got the most beautiful wealth from my father”. When asked what is that? He replied, “My Father told me that whenever you think of doing anything wrong, just wait for 24 hours. I further asked, should then I proceed for what I wanted to do, to which my father replied with a smile that you will not be able to do anything wrong thereafter. This changed my life forever.”
All these things can help you change your life style and thought process but only if you are willing too. You as a men and an individual of the society must understand how important it is to keep the dignity of a woman and a person intact. Not one- step ahead and not one-step behind, feminism aims at being equal and treating each other equal.
Lets Pledge!
It is important for us all belonging to any city, Nation or Continent to stop domestic violence and extend help to the victim anytime but especially during this crisis. Be it in your neighbor’s, your maid’s house or your own house, report it immediately to women helpline numbers and Take A Stand!
This is the only Pandemic that each one of us individually can stop just by being mentally strong and having this basic understanding of the other self as an individual self.
Eventually, the Covid-19 catastrophe will end resulting in the closure of the lockdown but when will this Pandemic end?
References:
https://news.un.org/en/story/2020/04/1061052
https://www.voanews.com/science-health/coronavirus-outbreak/un-chief-coronavirus-pressures-leading-global-surge-domestic
