Abstract

As per UN Women, globally, one in three women is subjected to either physical or sexual violence by an intimate partner. 243 million women and girls between the ages of 15 and 49 had been the victim of such violence that were recorded in 2019. Thus, IPV is a major global health concern and has been exacerbated during the COVID-19 pandemic. India is no exception. IPV has been a long-standing issue in India, and the COVID-19 pandemic has exacerbated the problem. The pandemic has caused a significant increase in IPV, due to factors such as financial stress, job loss, and reduced access to services. The lack of access to services due to nationwide lockdowns has made it difficult for victims of IPV to seek help, as they cannot easily access police stations or crisis centres. This has made it difficult to report cases of IPV, and to get the necessary support and protection. Furthermore, the stigma attached to IPV in India has made it difficult for victims to seek help, as they fear that they will be judged or ostracized. This has made it difficult for victims to speak out about their experiences, and to access the support and protection that they need. In this backdrop, this paper seeks to examine the impact of COVID-19 and the lockdown thereof on the women experiencing intimate partner violence in India and the nation’s socio-legal approach to preventing the same.

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