SHAKTI'S RESPONSE TO COVID-19
We hope that you and your family are keeping your spirits up and staying healthy in this tough time. This is an extraordinary situation, and in the past few weeks, things have moved very quickly. The COVID-19 pandemic is affecting all of our communities, our families, and our very way of life.
At Shakti, we’re also experiencing the effects of COVID-19 in our work. We chose to postpone our public launch, originally scheduled on March 20th, to a later date to play our part in flattening the curve and to encourage social distancing. However, this does not mean that our work stops here. We’re working hard to pilot our platform with two partner organizations. Meanwhile, we are also producing and disseminating resources to help vulnerable populations during the unprecedented lockdowns prompted by COVID-19.
When we talk about self-isolation, social-distancing, quarantines, or lockdowns, we assume that home is a safe space for everyone, but for survivors of domestic violence, this isn’t always true. With individuals working from home, or losing their jobs, and children being out of school, people may be confined in their home with their abuser. This could lead to increased conflict and aggression, and volatile relationships can turn violent. As the UN Trust Fund to End Violence against Women recognized, the prevalence and severity of domestic violence is likely to increase during the COVID-19 outbreak.
If you or someone you know is facing violence at home, here are some resources and tips Shakti has created that may help you. This content is public, and we encourage you to forward it to people you know who may need it.