WCD Minister Smriti Irani Rejects Increase In Domestic Violence Cases During Lockdown

Contrary to the claims made by National Commission for Women (NCW), Union Minister Smriti Irani, who happens to be the Women and Child Welfare Minister, has denied claims that the coronavirus-induced lockdown led to an increase in cases of domestic violence against women. Irani was speaking while addressing a TiE talk event hosted through a virtual platform on Sunday night.

Replying to a question that the lockdown has increased domestic violence and women are not being able to even lodge complaints, the minister retorted,

It is false. Every state has a police line functioning. We have one stop crisis centres across every district of every State.”

I without revealing the faces and names of women that we have rescued, have state by state, district by district rescue rehabilitation details of every individual victim.

Irani categorically said,

There was some scaremongering done especially with some development partners who are in the NGO sector that 80% of women who are now at homes in India or across the world will be getting beaten up.

ALSO READ –

Court: “Wife Filed False Domestic Violence Petition Just For Grabbing More Money From Husband”

She said every man is not beating up the woman in his house in India. Smriti Irani also quoted,

Our police lines have been functional throughout the lockdown. Our crisis centres have been functional throughout the lockdown.

Adding further the minister said rescue and rehabilitation facilities have been provided not only for women but also children. She quoted,

In fact, so far as the numbers go, I have 35 helpline numbers across all states apart from a central number that has been functioning fully throughout the lockdown period.

ALSO READ –

1774 Men Called NGO’s Helpline Alleging Domestic Violence By Wives During Lockdown

In April, just a fortnight after the nationwide lockdown was announced, the National Commission for Women (NCW), said they were receiving complaints of domestic violence from across the country, and had recorded more than twofold rise in gender-based violence in the national Coronavirus lockdown period. As per numbers released by NCW, total complaints from women rose from 116 in the first week of March (March 2-8), to 257 in the final week (March 23-April 1). NCW Chief Rekha Sharma then quoted,

Domestic violence cases have doubled than what it was before the lockdown. The cases of domestic violence are high in Uttar Pradesh, Bihar, Haryana and Punjab

She the said the main reason for the rise of domestic violence is that the men are at home and they are taking out their frustration on women and they refuse to participate in domestic work. Women are also confined within the four walls of the house and they cannot share their grief with anybody.

ALSO READ –

http://voiceformenindia.com/in-the-social/domestic-violence-on-men-in-india-during-lockdown/

We are now on Telegram. You can also join us on our Facebook Group. 

Join our Facebook Group or follow us on social media by clicking on the icons below