Covid-19 Epidemic and Impact on Women's Rights: A Socio-Legal Perspective

Title Covid-19 Epidemic and Impact on Women’s Rights: A Socio-Legal Perspective Description (Author + Affiliation + Discipline) This scholarly article is authored by Dr. Priyanka Sambhaji Jadhavar, Assistant Professor, Department of Law, Shivaji University, Kolhapur, and is situated within the interdisciplinary discipline of Law, Gender Studies, Sociology, and Public Policy. The study critically examines the socio-legal impact of the COVID-19 pandemic on women’s rights in India, with specific reference to domestic violence, mental health, social vulnerability, and legal enforcement mechanisms. Using doctrinal and non-doctrinal research methods, the paper analyzes registered cases under Sections 498-A and 304 of the Indian Penal Code in Kolhapur district during the period 2020–2023, highlighting the intersection of pandemic conditions, gender-based violence, and institutional responses. 1 Keywords and Subjects (Paragraph Form) The study engages with key themes and subjects such as COVID-19 pandemic, women’s rights, domestic violence, gender justice, social resilience, legal protection mechanisms, IPC Sections 498-A and 304, Domestic Violence Act 2005, socio-legal analysis, mental health, work-from-home challenges, policing during emergencies, gender inequality, human rights, and pandemic governance in India. 1 Publishing Information Details The article is published in Education and Society, a UGC CARE Listed Journal (ISSN: 2278-6864), issued by the Indian Institute of Education, Pune. It appears in Special Issue-I, Volume-I (May 2023), themed “Advances in Commerce, Management, Social Sciences and Humanities: A Multidisciplinary Approach”. The journal has been published since 1977 and focuses on education through social development and social development through education. The publisher’s address is J. P. Naik Path, Kothrud, Pune – 38, Maharashtra, India. 1