COVID-19 and violence against women in the intimate partner context

Abstract

This paper is devoted to the analysis of the impact of COVID-19 on the increase in the rate of intimate partner violence identified during the pandemic. Partner violence can be explained as one way of establishing and securing control and power by men over women. To explain this phenomenon, the paper uses a feminist approach that is gender sensitive and focuses on the analysis of gender inequality in a society based on a male dominance of power over women. During the pandemic, countries introduced many measures against the spread of the infection, such as states of emergency and various forms of the lockdown. To shed light on this topic, data and experiences from different regions of the world were used and compared to indicate an increase in the rate of violence against women during the pandemic. Risk factors that led to the increase in violence are pointed out as well. It is concluded that an increase in violence against women has been evident in all countries, even in those countries that did not have strict measures such as the lockdown. Additionally, an increase in intimate partner violence in families where it was not present prior to the pandemic was noted.