Patriarchy at the helm of gender-based violence during COVID-19

Abstract

Gender-based violence (GBV) or violence against women and girls (VAWG), is a global pandemic that affects 1 in 3 women in their lifetime and VAWG is one of the most prevalent human rights violations in the world. The high level of investment going into the COVID-19 recovery plan is a unique opportunity to reshape our patriarchal society, to coordinate across sectors and institutions and to take measures to reduce gender inequalities. Relief efforts to combat the pandemic should take the needs of the vulnerable population, particularly women and girls afflicted by GBV into consideration, as their needs were mostly ignored in the recovery plan of Ebola. GBV is linked to dominance, power and abuse of authority or because any calamity, be it a pandemic, conflict or a disaster. This will further exacerbate pre-existing gendered structural inequalities and power hierarchies as protective mechanisms fail leaves women and girls more vulnerable, fueling impunity for the perpetrators. There is a need for international and domestic violence prevention policies to not only focus on narrowly defined economic or political ‘empowerment’ because that is insufficient when it comes to challenging existing gender inequalities. Incorporating an individual's religious beliefs and community of faith (mosque, church, temple or synagogue) can offer a support system for an individual and her/his family amid a public health crisis. There is a need to engage men and boys by tailoring messages to challenge gender stereotypes and unequal gender roles to overcome patriarchy.

Effects of the COVID-19 Pandemic on Intergroups Inequalities: The Case of Women

“…It gives absolute priority to men (Sultana 2010), leads to widespread acceptance of domestic violence by society (Sweeney 2016), causes the production and perpetuation of gender inequality in division of labor (Uhn 2004), and limits the human rights of women (Sultana 2010). Structural inequalities and power hierarchies based on preexisting patriarchy have left women more vulnerable during the pandemic (Javed and Chattu 2021).…”

Fulfilling the promise of digital health interventions (DHI) to promote women’s sexual, reproductive and mental health in the aftermath of COVID-19

“…Compelling women to continue with an unwanted pregnancy is a human rights violation under several circumstances, including foreseeable mental and physical health impacts on the pregnant person. During the COVID-19 pandemic, several health care services may be disrupted or are inaccessible due to increased burden on healthcare systems, further creating barriers to services required for a pregnant person [5,16,34].…”

Vulnerability to violence against women or girls during COVID-19 in Uganda

“…Analysis of qualitative data from 12 countries pointed to alcohol abuse, school closures, and limited access to social and health services as risk factors for GBV during COVID-19 [ 18 ]. Other factors associated with GBV during COVID-19 are age difference between partners (more than four years) [ 19 ] and patriarchy [ 20 ].…”