"All crises disproportionately impact women", Jammu & Kashmir HC seeks report on steps to prevent Domestic Violence amid COVID-19 Lockdown

The Jammu and Kashmir High Court has called for a report on the steps taken to act against domestic violence or any other kind of violence being faced by the women during the COVID-19 lockdown..In this regard, a Bench comprising of Chief Justice Gita Mittal And Justice Rajnesh Oswal on Thursday issued notice to the Secretary, Department of Social Welfare, Government of Union Territories of Jammu and Kashmir and Ladakh and the Member Secretary, of the J&K Legal Services Authority..The Court took it upon itself to examine the matter public interest while adding that,.Unfortunately, all crisis disproportionately impact women. Thus internationally it has been observed that while the pandemic is having a tremendous negative impact on societies and economies, the adverse social and economic consequences of the pandemic for women and girls are devastating.Jammu and Kashmir High Court.Taking note of the inability of women and children from the economically weaker sections in India to access online platforms for assistance, the Court has also suggested certain measures to ensure that immediate assistance is extended to such vulnerable persons, i.e.:Creation of dedicated funding to address issues of violence against women and girls as part of the COVID-19 response;Increased availability of call-in services to facilitate discreet reporting of abuse;Increased tele/online legal and counseling service for women and girls;Designated informal safe spaces for women, say grocery stores and pharmacies, where they can report domestic violence/abuse without alerting the perpetrators.Immediate designation of safe spaces as shelters for women who are compelled to leave their domestic situation.Giving urgent publicity to information regarding all of the above measures as also the availability of the facilities for seeking relief and redressal against the issues of domestic violence.Increasing awareness campaigns on all aspects of the issues..While taking up the issue, the Court also referred to a statement issued by Antonio Guterres, the Secretary General of the United Nations, that nearly 60% of women around the world working in the informal economy, earning less, saving less are at greater risk of falling into poverty because of the COVID-19 pandemic..The Court proceeded to note that there was "steep rise" in crimes against women during the lockdown in India as well. .Placing reliance on the latest data released by the National Commission for Women, it was added that within a week after the lockdown began on March 24, a total of 257 complaints relating to crimes against women, have been received by its Complaint and Investigation Cell. "The cases of domestic violence, specially, rose to 69 from 30", the Bench noted..The Secretaries of the Jammu and Kashmir Legal Services Authority has now been directed to compile a list of all domestic violence cases, which are pending as complaints, and ascertain the safety and well being of the complainants. They are allowed to seek the assistance of police and para legal volunteers to do the same, the Court added..All the courts in the Union Territories have been directed to treat cases of domestic abuse as urgent and proceed with the matters in accordance with the circulars issued regarding the procedure to be followed to ensure social distancing..It was added that a duty was cast upon the government under Section 11(a) of the Protection of Women from Domestic Violence Act, 2005 to take all measures to give wide publicity to the provisions of the law, through public media including the electronic and the print media..The Court also noted that similar situations were being experienced in countries all over the world including Argentina, Canada, France, Germany, United Kingdom and the United States of America, where there were increasing reports of domestic violence during the crisis..After referring to the various measures adopted in these jurisdictions to combat domestic violence during the present health crisis, the Court directed the Government to examine and draw from such measures as well. .A report on the measures in place, steps underway and those contemplated to act against domestic violence faced during the COVID-19 crisis has been ordered to be placed before the Court by April 28..The Bench has also appointed Advocate Monika Kohli, as an amicus curiae, before listing the matter for further consideration on April 28..Read the order here: