Girls Faced More Pressure During Pandemic: Study

What is the News?

EMpower, global philanthropy has released a study titled ‘COVID In Her Voice: A Girl-led and Centred Participatory Research Study’.

About the study:

• The U.K government supported the study.  EMpower, (global philanthropy focused on at-risk youth in emerging markets) conducted it.
• Cities covered: Girls aged 13-24 from Ahmedabad, Alwar, Bareilly, Delhi, Lucknow, Mumbai, and Pune within their communities, conducted the study.
• Method: The study adopted a unique methodology. Girls received training as researchers to conduct interviews with a total of 153 girls from their respective communities.

Key Findings of the study:

• Firstly, Impact of Covid-19: The adolescent girls are facing an increased pressure to get married, and spent long hours on household chores. They lacked tools to continue school education online and reported an increase in gender-based violence.
• Secondly, The biggest challenge girls faced was the inability to attend online school. This was due to nearly 80% of respondents reporting an increase in household chores. This impacted nearly 64% of girls and young women who felt that they did not have the time to study online.
• Thirdly, Lack of access to resources and technology was also a challenge. Nearly 28% of those surveyed didn’t have the tools such as mobile phones or Internet access to learn online.
• Fourthly, Marriage: 42% of girls believe that the pressure to get married has increased because of COVID- 19. This was due to the economic impact of Covid-19 on marginalised communities.
• Fifthly, Mental Stress: Almost 90% of girls reported experiencing mental distress and despair without any access to information about coping mechanisms.
• Sixthly, Gender-Based Violence: Nearly 26% of respondents believe there was an increase in gender-based violence. They also felt that fears and threats of violence intensified restrictions on their freedom.

Source: The Hindu