<![CDATA[In Malaysia, domestic violence spikes amid lockdown to slow coronavirus infections]>

Dress attractively, don't nag, and use a high-pitched, sweet voice like cartoon character Doraemon when speaking to your husbands. That was the widely mocked advice handed down in a series of infographics by Malaysia's ministry of women and family earlier this month amid a national lockdown to stem the spread of Covid-19.

The infographics, which were taken down after the outcry, also told women to keep up their personal appearance, wear make-up, and "act childlike" to preserve household happiness.

Women's groups across the nation lambasted the government for its insensitivity, accusing it of victim-blaming and normalising domestic violence. They also pointed out that under the lockdown " which bans Malaysians from leaving their homes except to buy food, in emergencies or to access health care " women and children are more susceptible to domestic violence and abuse.

Domestic violence activist Farah Hanim has reported an increase in domestic violence in the federal housing project just outside Kuala Lumpur where she works.

"I've received many more calls for help," she said, adding that this was possibly due to overcrowding in cramped, close quarters; the loss of income as workers are forced to stay home; and the subsequent shortage of food and other essential supplies.

Confirmed infections in Malaysia have ballooned from less than 100 in early March to more than 4,000 as of Thursday, prompting Prime Minister Muhyiddin Yassin to extend the lockdown until the end of April.

Police received a total of 5,421 domestic violence reports in 2018.

People carry shopping bags as they walk on deserted roads amid the nationwide lockdown due to the spread of the coronavirus pandemic. Photo: DPA alt=People carry shopping bags as they walk on deserted roads amid the nationwide lockdown due to the spread of the coronavirus pandemic. Photo: DPA

Meanwhile, the government has revealed that its welfare hotline saw a 57 per cent spike in calls since the nation's movement restrictions began in mid-March, although it has maintained that not all these calls were to do with domestic violence " financial and marital problems were also aired.

The government had initially suspended the crisis hotline when the lockdown began, reversing the decision after widespread criticism.

Women's rights groups have also seen a similar increase in distress calls, with the Women's Aid Organisation (WAO) reporting a 44.4 per cent increase in calls and enquiries between February and March.

"Domestic violence is about maintaining power and control. And in this crisis, isolation and concerns over health and finances can further aggravate an abuser's desire to exert power and control," noted Tan Heang-Lee, advocacy and communications officer at WAO.

"Domestic violence survivors are also at greater risk because they are trapped in the house all day with the abuser. It is also more dangerous for them to seek help, as the abuser may be monitoring their every move."

Under the lockdown, which started on March 18, many of the country's residents have been unable to work as only those in essential services are allowed to carry out their duties. In Malaysia " where small and medium-sized enterprises, including stallholders and family-run set-ups, make up 90 per cent of the economy " this has seen a huge loss of income for many individuals across dozens of sectors.

This, Tan said, exacerbated any financial dependence domestic violence survivors had on their abusers.

Women from low-income groups, activists say, are also more drastically affected as most rely on home or small businesses that have been impacted by the lockdown, making them fully financially dependent on their spouses.

The current crisis also impacts survivors who have left their abusers. According to the WAO, 30 per cent of former residents from its domestic violence shelter were unable to work due to the movement control order while 25 per cent were still looking for jobs.

NGOs have also had to stage interventions during the lockdown. The All Women's Action Society (AWAM) reported a case of a domestic violence perpetrator going through substance abuse withdrawal, making "a violent situation even more dire and dangerous for the survivor".

In the northernmost state of Penang, the Women's Centre for Change (WCC) has reported a fourfold increase in domestic violence-related distress calls, with this period "already exceeding the monthly average in 2019", said programme director Karen Lai.

"The government must engage a bit better with the NGOs, although the timing is unfortunate," she said.

The lockdown has instituted restrictions on public life and social gatherings in light of the coronavirus pandemic. Photo: DPA alt=The lockdown has instituted restrictions on public life and social gatherings in light of the coronavirus pandemic. Photo: DPA

Malaysia's current government came into power in early March following a political coup, just weeks before the lockdown was announced.

The sudden outbreak of Covid-19 during this period caught the current administration on the back foot, with a slew of faux pas ensuing " including the newly minted health minister's suggestion that the disease could be cured by drinking warm water.

Meanwhile, rights groups have highlighted calls for the government to take more substantive action to support women, especially as the lockdown has been extended.

The Joint Action Group for Gender Equality urged the ministry to put in place such policies during this period.

"Given the current crisis, many countries are witnessing an alarming ... spike in domestic violence directed at women and girls, as warned by the United Nations secretary general," it said. "In Malaysia, there is still no announcement to help abused women and children nor, for instance, any kind of policy to support poor women who are expected to be more vulnerable in times of crisis."

Rights groups in several countries including China, Spain, India and Kenya have reported an increase in domestic violence cases and complaints since instituting a Covid-19 lockdown.

Last week the French police reported receiving at least 30 per cent more domestic violence calls, while Indonesian NGOs have told local media there has been a notable increase in distress calls since the nation instituted a work from home order.

This article originally appeared on the South China Morning Post (SCMP).

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