Lockdown-induced Shadow Pandemic: A Phenomenological Interpretation of Domestic Violence in Kerala

Abstract Purpose: Existing literature suggests that the COVID-19 restrictions led to a shadow pandemic wherein women’s lives were disproportionately affected. This study sheds light on the mechanisms through which COVID-19 pandemic restrictions have furthered violence against women, uncovering a distressing interplay of factors that exacerbate this "Shadow Pandemic. The goal is to provide insights for shaping effective intervention and support strategies, especially in the context of public health crises. Methods: The research focused on exploring the phenomenological interpretive experiences of domestic violence among married women in Kerala during the COVID-19 lockdown. Narratives of thirty-five women victims of domestic violence were analysed and subjected to thematic analysis, yielding diverse emergent themes discussed under distinct headings. Results: The findings revealed a spectrum of abuse including physical violence, psychological trauma, economic exploitation, and intimate partner violence. The study outlines key themes that have emerged. Marital Disharmony, Pseudo-Long Distance Relationships, Marital Rape, Domestic Labor, Compelled Coexistence, Vulnerability Exacerbation, Socio-Economic Disparities, Pandemic-Induced Isolation, Economic Fallout, Physical Abuse, and Joblessness are the major themes examined. Conclusions: The lockdown-induced shadow pandemic has cast a distressing influence on women's lives. The intersection of a global health crisis and a surge in gender-based violence underscores the urgent need for comprehensive societal responses. As we navigate the aftermath of lockdowns, this study calls for the prioritisation of the well-being and empowerment of women, ensuring that they are not left behind in the recovery process.