A webinar on ‘Surge in Domestic Violence During Covid 19: Impacting Mental Health’ was conducted by Dr. Kanika Panwar, Director, Center for Social Defense and Gender Studies, Sardar Patel University of Police and Criminal Justice, Jodhpur, Rajasthan. Globally, Covid 19 pandemic has increased domestic violence due to mandatory stay at home; physical distancing; anxieties and other uncertainties and this has ultimately impacted the mental health of women. The webinar addressed what could have been done and the measures that can be taken going forward.
Dr. Panwar shared how at least 15m more cases of domestic violence are expected to arise globally owing to lockdown conditions this year. According to Reuters, France reported 32%-36% increase in domestic abuse complaints during the period of lockdown. UNFPA has estimated that there would be 31 million more cases of domestic violence worldwide if the lockdown continues for another six months. “In 25 days between March 23 and April 16 when lockdown 1.0 was imposed, the NCW received 239 complaints related to domestic violence, mainly through email and dedicated whatsapp number,” stated Dr. Panwar. She also detailed the various facets of power and control being used including intimidation; emotional abuse; isolation; minimalizing, denying & blaming; using children; economic abuse; male privilege; coercion & threats for inflicting domestic violence during this time of pandemic. She suggested being sensitive to the caregiver during this time.
An industry guest lecture on ‘Job Opportunities post Covid Times’ was delivered by Ms. Madhulika Bhatnagar, Director, Capgemini Technology Services India Ltd where she shared how the world has come to a standstill because of COVID-19. She also averred how sectors like tourism, entertainment, airlines and small businesses were more affected than others. She advised students that they had two options of either living in denial and waiting for better times or accepting the situation and preparing themselves for the future. She stated how the future corporate world would need skilled workforce who is able to deliver results from day 1. She asked students to bring in the ability in them to be more productive, have positive attitude, digital skills and inculcate knowledge about business domain etc. She advised students to develop their profiles on social networking sites as corporates are connected to these sites. She also suggested to create a video profile as face to face interactions may be hit for some time in the future till normalcy returns and prepare themselves for jobs of the future.
A lecture on Future trends in tourism Industry and Its impact on career prospects was delivered by Mr. Pankaj Chaudhary, VP, North India Pacific World. While addressing Mr Chaudhary said that Coronavirus is a very serious situation for which government has to impose the lockdown, but due to human nature people are unable to sit at home for long. “Countries like America, Thailand have not imposed lockdown people are going out and eating out as well. But there are many other countries where fear factor have been created among people. In India the cases are increasing the situation is not so good but curve will flatten soon. It might be possible that everything will be normal by middle of August,” said Mr. Chaudhary.
He shared that budding professional of tourist industry should not get demotivated and should take advantage of opportunities arising due to COVID19. “Tourist Industry will flourish. There are many industries looking for help from government but our industry is not looking towards government as the fund will arise from clients. It is the basic fundamental that people will travel and tourism industry will revive, but it may take time. But the moment will come when everything will be back to normal,” averred Mr. Chaudhary.
He also shared how digitalization was not new but now people are working upon it, upskilling the current employee. He added how this is the time when one can give training to their employees and help them in improving their skills and making the experts.
A lecture by Mr. Aayam Khanna, Head- Operations, IIMJOBS.COM was delivered on ‘Current and Future Recruitment Trends’. While addressing Mr Khanna said that due to coronavirus every country is facing a problem of cash flow. “Some of the companies are shutting down whereas some of them are asking their employees to put down their papers. It is a time with challenge and opportunity as well. Government is also trying to help the industries. Many companies have become flexible and going with work from home culture so employee should be flexible towards the company,” said Mr. Khanna.
He also shared how there are several industries which will boom and their demand will increase. “We are connected through video, voice calls etc, schools and Universities are giving online classing and people are connected virtually. So, Internet, broadband companies will rise high. E-commerce will be high in trend as people will prefer buying and shopping through online channels. E-Education will be another flourishing sector. Telecom industry is also in the queue to rise high and there has been that demand of laptop, smart phones, tabs have been increased because everybody is connected virtually. There are many business which where offline and now become online due to need. Online also involves no man power cost, less cost etc,” said Mr. Khanna.