Safeguarding the Mental Health of Women of India in times of COVID 19: Challenges and ways forward

Abstract

Self Employed Women's Association (SEWA) is movement of 1.8 million women workers in 18 states of India. This is an early narrative based report on how women have been affected by COVID 19 in India. There is description of loss of livelihood, malnutrition of children, increased responsibility of care giving, decreased access to health care and increased incidents of violence at home. The article also outlines how women have been resilient and have been active participants in supporting recovery. Mental Health awareness has been initiated by members of SEWA in 11 states.

Keywords

• covid 19
• india
• mental health
• narratives
• sewa
• women