SOCIETAL PANORAMA OF POWER: EMANCIPATION OF WOMEN OR THREAT?

The pandemic has brought the world to a standstill. The dearth to survive in the wake of devastation has made humans adapt to the new normal which was never experienced but now has become a protocol. The phrase which was the tagline for global partnerships ‘united we stand, divided we fall' has now transformed into ‘divided we stand, united we fall', as a claim to survive this pandemic. In India where the virus has claimed maximum toll of human lives, continues to fight various battles to survive. On one side, the health workers, doctors, police are risking their lives so that the common man may not be affected while on the other hand, people within the houses are falling victims to domestic and sexual abuse. In the light of the pandemic, that has claimed lives as well as loss of employment; the struggle to survive has hit a different tone especially among the lower and the middle income families. The frustration of losing a job is vented on the family members, as there remains no source of income to support the family. This article tries to unearth the existing social problems of abuse among men and women at large especially during the pandemic. The principle of resistance is understood in the sexual division of labour where individuals are now trying to be communicating with the outside world while remaining at home.