Newspaper Portrayal of Gender-Based Violence during COVID-19 Lockdown in Bangladesh
DOI:
https://doi.org/10.51983/arss-2022.11.2.3260Keywords:
IPV, COVID-19, Violence, Abuse, Reproductive HealthAbstract
SARS-CoV-2 or COVID-19, has emerged as the most serious public health threat of the contemporary age. More than 4.2 million individuals died as a result of this infectious virus, which has infected about 200 million people. Coronavirus spread quickly across the world due to its infectious nature, resulting in a large number of deaths. In many ways, COVID-19 had an impact on nearly every nation in economic, social, cultural, political, and other spheres. The study aims to find out the portrayal of Intimate Partner Violence (IPV) in popular English newspapers in Bangladesh. Data were collected from the 12 most-read English dailies that published news on IPV all over the country. The study used a summative approach of the qualitative content analysis method as formulated by Bengtsson (2016). Findings show that the frequency of published news on IPV considerably increased amid COVID-19 induced lockdown in Bangladesh. The causes of such incidents go back to deep-rooted patriarchal norms, gender roles and the powerlessness of women. Many incidents occurred during lockdown that, as victims reported, were triggered by shocks like sudden joblessness, chronic stress, abject poverty, etc. caused by the pandemic. Such violence often affected women’s physical, mental and reproductive health. Many incidents like stabbing to death, killing with the home weapon, and physical abuse became national headings amid lockdown. The study suggests undertaking special protection measures for women in any such future event. Awareness and cooperation of people along with appropriate policies can be major steps towards combating the impacts of COVID-19.
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