Refrain from mistaking Domestic Violence as a family matter

Undoubtedly, amid the lockdown, the common mass is dealing with various concerns. No struggle could be underestimated at any tone. However, during such an unexpected time, our homes are supposed to be the safest place of all. Home has our comfort, security, and connection deeply imbibed across every corner. Yet, incidentally, we can not turn a blind eye to the abusive households existing in our society. For the duration of the lockdown, many women across the nation have experienced hostile environments inside their homes.

CASA came across the story of Meena, a resident of Sonadehe village in Madhya Pradesh, under the light of domestic violence. A mother of three, Meena does labour work for livelihood. She is dependent on her daily wage and the resources from a nearby forest for the sustenance of her children. Her husband is a supervisor in the forest department, but he does not pay even a single penny for the house.

Meena in her native village of Sonadehe in Madhya Pradesh

Reportedly, her husband spends most of his time under the influence of liquor, and unlawfully vents his frustration by physically beating Meena. He demands the wages which Meena earns and, if she denies, he pawns the household things to get the amount for buying liquor. Meena has to take care of herself and her children. Such violence is a sheer violation of a woman’s right to her own body and sanity. Violence goes beyond the physical pain to destructive mental agony and should not be shadowed under the garb of “family matters”. Meena used to go to Hoshangabad in Bihar for work along with ten labourers. Unfortunately, due to the lockdown on March 24th, 2020, Meena was unable to work and had to stay inside the cruel home.

The extended lockdown against the rise in COVID- 19 cases halted the financial income and deepened the deficiency in the home. Household expenses and rationing depleted the savings that Meena had. Unable to get any work in the village, Meena was rendered jobless. Under these grieving circumstances, Meena asked her husband to arrange for some money. Little did she know, her mere concern for the family would make the violence perpetuate her without thought or empathy? Her husband beat her up brutally and repeated the same with her children. But this did not end there. He kicked them out of the house by tossing off their clothes and utensils.

Living in such an abusive relationship for a month, she asked for some help from the neighbours, but Meena’s husband continued to abuse whosoever even laid an ear to her. Meena grew scared that this persistent harassment might risk her and her children’s lives and hence, Meena, with the assistance of CASA, moved to her brother-in-law’s house for ten days. When Meena’s brother became aware of the horrendous situation, he took away his sister and the children to his resilience. As a guiding figure, he explained to Meena the need for her confidence in herself. Meena had to be stubborn and stand by herself against her husband’s torture. Inspired by her struggle and the subsequent emancipation, Meena filed a case against her husband.

Meena, along with her children

Instances of violence against women have risen during the nation-wide lockdown. The elevating cases of domestic violence, at the time of the COVID-19 pandemic, are alarming. CASA is present in 30 villages that fall under Shahpur block of Betul district, Madhya Pradesh, raising awareness amongst women to prevent and respond to the gendered effects of lockdown. We have formed a Gram Samiti,  with two representatives in each village who are directing efforts towards identifying the situation across the nation and help the local communities learn more about the criminal incidents of domestic violence occurring in their neighborhood.

Written by Kajol Tanaya, Intern, Communications