Contributing Factors of Domestic Violence among Reproductive Women during COVID 19 Lockdown in Chandigarh, India

Abstract

Background: Violence against women is a worldwide phenomenon, rooted deep in its tradition most pervasive and yet the least recognized human rights abuse in the world. The most prevalent type of gender-based violence that causes physical, sexual, or psychological harm to women is domestic abuse. Objectives: 1. To investigate prevalence and patterns of domestic violence against women after Covid-19 pandemic. 2. To identify socio-cultural and Covid-19 related factors contributing domestic violence against women. Methodology: Community-based descriptive study conducted among married females. Information regarding domestic violence, socio-demographic variables, and perceived causes was collected. Mixed method (Qualitative as well as quantitative) aspects of the problem have been explored. Stratified two stage random sampling technique was adopted to select eligible women. The data was collected in Chandigarh during 2023-24. Results: Overall mean age of women was found to be 32.24 ± 7.42 years whereas mean age of spouses was 35.97 ± 7.84 years. There were 538 (75.6%) women who reported ever suffering from domestic violence of varied nature. There were 538 (75.6%) women who reported ever suffered from domestic violence of varied nature. The prevalence of domestic violence among women ever faced was found to be 75.6% and psychological violence/ verbal abuse was the most common type of violence reported by 537 (75.4%) among all women. Physical violence was reported by 327 (45.9%) women. Sexual violence was reported by 204 (28.7%) women. Financial reasons came out to be the most common reason experienced by 576 (80.9%) women during COVID, followed by behavioral issues reported by 562 (78.9%) women and other social reasons reported by 533 (73.9%) women. Violence was found to be significantly associated with type of family (P=0.04), SES (P=0.04), However, it was not found to be significantly associated with age at marriage. Sufferings from COVID, being quarantined and lockdown related situations were not directly related with domestic violence against women but those situations lead to other problems such as financial crisis, isolations, failing of support systems and deprivations of varied types which contributed to increase in domestic violence against women.