Understanding the Economic and Social Constraints during Covid-19 Lockdown and Their Influence on Domestic Violence against Women in Cameroon

Abstract

Domestic abuse, a common concern in all cultures, and debates around this practice are linked to complexities and taboos. Domestic violence/relationship harassment refers to personal or partner-to-partner relationships, most of which are female victims. Many women witness psychological and physical abuse in their close relationships and immediate social atmosphere, which then becomes a major health issue for them. Domestic violence is a pattern of manipulative approach that involves physical, psychological, sexual, economic, and emotional harassment that one person conducts against another related person in order to create and retain power and control. The prevalence of domestic abuse can be found in all sorts of close relationships such as married spouses, romantic couples, living in couples, individuals who have common children, former relationships, etc. The goal of this research is to identify the extent, economic and social causes of domestic violence against women during the locking situation of COVID-19. Samples of 200 females from the economic capital of Cameroon Douala, comprised of females from various industries with different educational qualifications and social backgrounds, were surveyed using standard questionnaires and random sampling. The random sampling test was used to obtain the required findings. It can be seen that, during the COVID-19 circumstance, there could be various causes and natures of domestic violence, such as emotional abuse, ill-treatment, physical injury, stalking, maltreatment, the aggressive nature of the partner, and sexual abuse, for reasons including female sexuality, financial collapse, oppressive temperament, alcohol, and extramarital relations.