This information was presented in joint research by the icddr,b research team, and the Walter and Eliza Hall Institute (WEHI), Australia, said a press release. 

The study found that the two-month lockdown order from late March to May disrupted economic and mental health in low-income families in Bangladesh and increased the level of abuse of women by husbands and close partners.

Under the ongoing research network in Rupganj, Bhulta and Golakandail Unions of Rupganj Upazila in Narayanganj the research team has observed the impact of lockdown on economic condition, food security, mental health and domestic violence of 2,424 families.

The study revealed that 96 percent of families had experienced a reduction in their average monthly earnings and 91 percent considered themselves to be financially unstable. 

During the lockdown, 47 percent of families saw their earnings drop below the international poverty line of Tk 160 (USD 1.90) per person per day and 70 percent experienced food insecurity while 15 percent ran out of food, went hungry, or missed meals. 

While women showed an increase in depressive symptoms, 68 percent of participants reported that their anxiety level had increased.

Among the women who reported emotional, physical, or sexual violence from their intimate partners, more than half reported that violence had increased since lockdown.

WEHI Associate Professor Dr Sant-Rayn Pasricha said, “Comparing how families were faring before and during lockdown, we could determine the impact lockdown had on them. What we observed were substantial financial and mental health pressures during lockdown.”

The research was funded by the Australian National Health and Medical Research Council and was conducted in partnership with the Doherty Institute and Monash University, Australia.