Gender-based violence like rape, tortures on women has increased during Covid-19 pandemic, said speakers at an online dialogue on Monday.
They said women are also bearing more workload at home during the time as the requirement of services from family members has increased because of the pandemic.
They came up with the views at the thematic dialogue titled ‘Gender Equality and Women Empowerment: the normal is new, the violence not’ was organised by Center for Development Communications DEVCOM.
Hassan Imam, managing director of DEVCOM delivered welcome speech and moderated programme while Sheepa Hafiza, equality and rights activist delivered key presentation.
Referring to data of different organizations, Sheepa Hafiza said domestic violence like rape, torture on women and children increased significantly during the Covid-19 period.
Law enforcing authority and the media were not able to collect information widely due to added engagement with COVID-19 related activities.
Support services like DNA test lab also stopped testing DNA just after COVID 19 attack, she added.
She emphasised on proper initiatives to stop violence and make sure equal rights to women.
Dr. Tania Haque, professor, department of Women and Gender Studies, University of Dhaka said although changes have come almost in every area of life because of Covid-19 outbreak, there is no change in male dominant society.
She stressed on the need for ensuring qualitative indicator along with numerical indicator of development.
Banasree Mitra Neogi, gender advisor, Manusher Jonno Foundation (MJF) said they found in a study in May that 20 per cent of women faced domestic violence.
However, the rate of domestic violence on women dropped in June following resumption of economic activities, she said.
The number of violence against children also increased during the pandemic period, she added.
Abul Hossain, project director, Multi-Sectoral Programme on Violence Against Women at Ministry of Women and Children Affairs, Aroma Dutta, parliamentarian and activist, Tapati Saha, programme analyst of Women's Economic Empowerment Programme at UN Women , Nobonita Chowdhury, director at Gender Justice and Diversity of BRAC, among others spoke at the programme. arafataradhaka@hotmail.com