The toughness of women's role in dealing with this pandemic is urgently needed.
REPUBLIKA.CO.ID, By: Neni Nur Hayati *
Whether you realize it or not, the Covid-19 pandemic has a big impact on women. The existence of inequality and various forms of discrimination faced by women is very concerning.
This pandemic has become a fairly real threat to women's jobs and livelihoods, especially in the informal and non-essential sectors. Not to mention, the escalation in the number of domestic violence against women and children that occurred during the pandemic increased significantly.
The Legal Aid Institute of the Indonesian Women's Association for Justice released, for one month from March 16 to April 19, 2020 during the pandemic has received 97 complaints by phone and email. This number increased dramatically compared to the direct complaints which only 60 complaints in a month.
Of the 97 reported cases, the highest article is domestic violence (KDRT) cases as many as 33 cases, following is Online Based Gender Violence (KBGO) as many as 30 cases, sexual abuse 8 cases, violence in courtship 7 cases, general criminal cases 6 cases, rape 3 cases, the rest are cases outside gender-based violence, family civil, And others. Violence experienced by women is not only physical violence, but also psychic, sexual and even economic neglect. This fact is strong evidence that it turns out that the house is not necessarily a safe place for women.
In the midst of the government's policy of imposing large-scale social restrictions (PSBB), the double burden that women must bear is very heavy. Not only has the burden of being at home, but at the same time being in a vulnerable position experiencing domestic violence. Work from home (WFH) and home-centered study from home (SFH) make the domestic burden for women multiply, from taking care of the home to ensuring children access education from home.
It may be inconceivable, how the fate of women medical professionals who have to work full in hospitals because they are the vanguard in dealing with Covid-19 patients. Especially for women who are pregnant. They must wear personal protective equipment (APD) for 8 hours. Nutritional intake of pregnant women's medical personnel may not be met. So, not a few also suffered a miscarriage after duty.
In these situations, women become a vulnerable group to contract the new coronavirus because they go out more often than other family members to meet the family's food needs. On the other hand, the social structure of a society that is still patriarchal also requires women to act as caregivers, educators, ensure family health, prepare food.
In addition, online sexual harassment, the threat of spreading intimate content with the motive of sexual exploitation to extortion is increasingly rife. During this pandemic, the process of handling cases of violence for victims often experience obstacles, because women are more difficult to leave the house to report cases. Meanwhile, the application of working from home allows the perpetrator to always monitor the activities of the victim.
This pandemic turns out to further deepen existing inequalities, exposing social, political and economic vulnerabilities that in turn exacerbate the impact of pandemics (Gutteres, 2020). This was reinforced in the Policy Brief on The Impact of Covid-19 on Women on April 9, 2020 which states that the Covid-19 pandemic deepened economic and social pressure coupled with restrictions on social movement and isolation, gender-based violence increased exponentially. Many women are forced to be 'isolated' at home with abusers and at the same time, services to support survivors, are disrupted or inaccessible.
Significant Role of Women
We should appreciate the community organizations that participated in dealing with the Covid-19 pandemic by providing assistance and moral support to economically affected women. Of course, people feel very helped when waiting for help from the government that is not certain.
In addition, the strength and toughness of women's significant role in dealing with this pandemic is urgently needed. This is the key to solving this deadly virus problem. At least women can do four things.
First, make all activities centered from home cheerfully happy. Make the atmosphere of the house as comfortable as possible for work and study. Take advantage of this precious time with productive activities. Create culinary innovations or in accompanying online learning to children. Do not forget to prepare healthy foods and drinks so that the body's immunity can be maintained.
Second, this situation full of uncertainty is certainly anxious and restless. Facing this, women need training. This time provides space for everyone to grow into a better person. Stay alert and don't panic. Provide education that can make the psychic calm of the family and the surrounding environment in the face of this outbreak, women from home can socialize through social media based on accurate sources.
Third, as a form of solidarity, women can invite their families and initiate their group friends to make donations, such as one by making masks, hand sanitizer, PPE or sembako that will later be given to affected women, especially women's medical personnel who are more vulnerable.
More importantly, women can provide education through social media and do not have a negative stigma to women who have been positively convicted of covid. This includes women who get sexual violence and domestic violence. Do mentoring, strengthen each other, please help and increase sensitivity.
Fourth, invite the family to always get closer to Allah Swt. Sure and optimistic that we can all get through this time well. May this plague end soon and all return as usual. Amen.
*The writer is executive director of the Democracy and Electoral Empowerment Partnership
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