Nidhi (name changed) is a mid-level executive in a consulting company. She is married with a 7 year old kid. Her husband works at a different location and is home once in two months. She has an ailing mother-in-law living with her. How has covid 19 affected her? Lets see.
Her day starts early trying to complete a few domestic chores before she sits for her morning video conference calls. Between her work, managing her restless child and domestic chores, she is also mentally stressed about her job and financial security. No amount of work seems to please her boss these days. There are rumors of jobs and pay cuts. During normal times she used to leave office between 7-7.30 pm but now work stretches almost every day till 10-11 pm. She is both physically and mentally at the edge of her sanity.
The story repeats across the spectrum with added variations of physical abuse, domestic violence, extended care of elderly, making the going tough on the lives of women. Pandemic is tough on everyone but women have it tougher. It is officially recorded that in normal times women spend as much as three times of time on domestic chores as compared to men. In a pandemic it just gets worse. While not demonising all men, for there are some who are trying to pitch in more than they used to, the gap is still quite wide to level the inequalities.
Covid 19 lockdown has resulted in increased isolation, economic and financial uncertainty, and boredom within the boundaries of homes, putting millions who were already in abusive relationships into grave danger from their family members. Domestic violence and physical abuse faced by women has been widely reported across the globe, with the UN and WHO frequently flagging the issue.
A pandemic widens these inequalities and increases the risk that women face to their health and safety. Civic bodies and NGOs are unable to function in lockdowns which only makes matters worse.
Another factor to note is that seventy percent of frontline healthcare workers are women – tolling silently, risking their lives and health. Their work in pandemics is no less than any warriors.
There have to be guidelines regarding the working hours and work culture. Work from home should not be made synonymous to endless time with no boundaries. Any overtime should be recognised, documented and addressed . All HR related issues should be addressed as in normal times making it a safe place even while one is working from home.
Any society which is insensitive to these inequalities cannot aspire to be a great nation. More than women, the need of the hour is to have more men carrying the flag of feminism and gender equality.