Gender-based violence on rise during pandemic

Incidents of gender-based violence like rape and torture on women have marked a rise during the ongoing Covid-19 pandemic, observed speakers at a virtual dialogue on Monday.

They also viewed that women are also bearing more workload at home during this time as the requirement of services from family members has increased because of the pandemic.

The thematic dialogue on Gender Equality and Women Empowerment: The normal is new, the violence not was organised by Center for Development Communications DEVCOM.

Hassan Imam, managing director of DEVCOM, delivered welcome speech and moderated the programme while Sheepa Hafiza, equality and rights activist, delivered key presentation.

Referring to data of different organisations, Sheepa Hafiza said domestic violence like rape and torture on women and children significantly increased during the Covid period.

The law enforcing agencies and media were not able to collect information widely due to engagement with the Covid-19 related activities.

Support services like DNA test lab also stopped testing DNA just after Covid-19 outbreak, she added.

She emphasised taking proper initiatives to stop violence and ensure equal rights to women.

Professor Dr Tania Haque of the Department of Women and Gender Studies of the University of Dhaka said although changes have come almost in every area of life because of the Covid-19 outbreak, there has been no change in the male-dominated society.

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