By Sarah Davies (she/her)
CW: Domestic violence, impacts of COVID-19
As someone who wants a career in the field of gender inequality (and am lucky enough to currently be on the way, through the OWP), I have worked on honing the way I view issues in the world – I want to ensure I see them through a gendered lens, highlighting the ways in which women are overlooked or affected differently to men, and vice versa. During this pandemic, we are constantly seeing news articles stating the dangers of coming into contact with people who are, or may be, infected. We are seeing some of the worst aspects of humanity, hoarding and selfishness. Some of us may be bored at home, feeling unproductive and useless, not being able to work, or go to schools and universities, or see your grandparents. Quarantining, self-isolating and social distancing means that a lot of us are forced to stay at home, some having to look after their children, some feeling unwell, some having come back from overseas, some who have had their hours at work cut, or lost their jobs completely, due to COVID-19 and its effects.
In all these articles, and news bulletins, and broadcasts, I have seen very little discussing the gendered impacts of COVID-19, so I would like to share some information:
67% of the global workforce is made up of women (1).
Front line health professionals and workers most exposed to COVID-19 are likely to be women: nurses, aids, teachers, child-care workers, aged-care workers and cleaners are more likely to be women (2).
Most women still bear the responsibility of caring for children, including when schools close. (3)
Women already do more than three times as much unpaid care work/labour as men, and caring for relatives during this pandemic can add to that burden (4).
*Unfortunately, the studies mentioned above were binary-oriented, and therefore I cannot assume that they included non-binary or transgender women. This does, however, point to the fact that these numbers are potentially even higher, when including all women.
So, women make up most of the work force, are more likely to be in essential roles interacting with a lot of people, yet still do more work at home, and potentially, now have to stay at home to look after children as schools close and, sometimes, relatives as well.
Well, what if these women (who are now working from home, caring for their relatives, most likely trying to get the shopping done, and keep the house constantly sanitised, as well as entertain their house-bound kids) are now potentially locked in with their most dangerous enemy?
Studies conducted in multiple countries have shown that domestic violence increases after natural disasters – factors such as potential homelessness and financial pressures, unemployment and increased contact between family members played a large role in these incidents (5).
Do these factors sound familiar to anyone else?
As a pandemic, COVID-19 can, and will, have these effects, and this creates the perfect environment for domestic violence to thrive – no outside contact, no reprieve from the constant walking on eggshells, the potential for more alcohol to be introduced while people are stuck at home (and the bottle shops stay open), financial concerns, health concerns, high-stress living situations. Experts in Australia have already warned that in the midst of situations where they feel powerless, an abuser will seek to further control their victim – this has already been seen in Italy and the United States, as well as in China, where domestic violence incidents tripled during the quarantine period.
This is, unfortunately, not a piece where I can tell you all the magic solution to helping women you know stuck in these situations get out – the hard truth is, there are often more hurdles to leaving a domestic violence situation than most people know: financial ability, the psychological impacts of being constantly manipulated and belittled, the extra concern of children, pressure from family, the love women, remembering the good times, still have for their abuser, and the question of where they would even be able to go. Now, there is also COVID-19 and its impact on these already-volatile situations.
I can’t fix this situation, and to be honest, that really sucks. I also can’t give you any great advice about how to handle any given situation during this pandemic – I believe domestic violence situations should be considered on a case-to-case basis, and I, personally, am not going to give out general advice that may help one woman, and hurt another.
All I can leave you with is this: be kind to one another.
Stop hoarding, and start sharing. A woman may miss out on desperately needed items for her children, partner, or even abuser. A pensioner may not be able to find their Ventolin, because people have brought 7 cans each, thinking it will somehow protect them.
Don’t spread misinformation – check your facts, because mass hysteria is the reason half the shelves on grocery stores are now empty.
Check in on each other. In the midst of self-isolation and quarantine, calling, FaceTiming, texting and Skyping is still available to most of us (though I definitely acknowledge it is not an option for some of us). Leave a note for your neighbour letting them know you have spare food items, or toilet paper, or time, or just introducing yourself. Write letters to your grandparents, and long-distance friends.
Be generous with your gratitude, and understanding. It is a frustrating, scary, unpredictable time for all of us. Many of us are able to be thankful that we have places to live, food, a stable job, a safe environment, our health, and many other things. A lot of people also don’t have those luxuries. Thank the hospitality worker that is still making your coffee. Thank the medical staff, working all hours of the day and night to try and get us through this. Thank the cleaners at your work, for going the extra mile to triple-sanitise your work phone. Be grateful for the good things you have in life, because a lot of us do have so, so many things to be grateful for.
Lastly, make sure you check in on the woman in your life as best you can. Consider what the changes COVID-19 has brought mean, in terms of gendered, and intersectional, impacts. We all now have a lot of time to think about, examine and analyse these issues, and come out the other side more knowledgeable, empathetic and understanding.
A moment of kindness from you during this time could change someone’s day, or even their life.
If you, or anyone you know, needs support during this time, please do not hesitate to reach out to the following:
Lifeline:
13 11 14
Sexual/domestic assault/violence
1800RESPECT/ 1800 737 732
Kids Help Line
1800 551 800
Http://www.kidshelpline.com.au/
Aboriginal Family Domestic Violence Hotline
1800 019 123
DV Connect Womensline
1800 811 811
Http://www.dvconnect.org/womensline/
DV Connect Mensline
1800 600 636
Http://www.dvconnect.org/mensline/
References:
Sara Davies, Sophie Harman, Jacqiu True and Clare Wenham (20 March 2020) ‘Why Gender Matters in the Impact and Recovery of COVID-19’, Lowy Institute: The Interpreter. Available at https://www.lowyinstitute.org/the-interpreter/why-gender-matters-impact-and-recovery-covid-19
Davies, Harman, True and Wenham (n 1).
Rosamond Hutt (12 March 2020) ‘The Corona Virus May Be Worse For Women Then It Is For Men: Here’s Why’, World Economic Forum. Available at https://www.weforum.org/agenda/2020/03/the-coronavirus-fallout-may-be-worse-for-women-than-men-heres-why/
Hutt (n 3).
Debra Parkinson and Claire Zara (2013) ‘The Hidden Disaster: Domestic Violence in the Aftermath of Natural Disaster’, Australian Journal of Emergency Management 28(2).