Safety and privacy

As COVID-19 continues to scythe through the population with positive cases increasing at an alarming rate, the Government is pushing for stronger contact tracing systems. However, as necessary as it is to track people, these measures have to be implemented in a sensitive manner, as they can create deep security and social problems for women and other vulnerable groups. 

It is increasingly apparent that the Government is finding itself out of its depth in handling the latest surge in COVID-19 cases. The initial braggadocio of having “conquered” the virus has now given way to blatant denials of community spread and firefighting accusations that the Government dished out preferential treatment to a particular company and failed to implement its own protocols. 

Even if that may technically not be the case, few can deny Sri Lanka is precariously close to community spread. This means that the Government has to change its entire game plan regarding the handling of COVID-19, put aside its military mindset and work with other branches of State, including parliament, health officials and the public service, to set in place new measures to contain the virus. This includes coming clean about what really happened and putting in place measures that are in accordance with the law and other social sensitivities such as gender. 

Sri Lanka’s women, despite making up a majority of the population, have faced severe safety issues spanning decades if not centuries. Successive governments have done little to nothing to address these problems and women frequently find it difficult to even walk along a road without being harassed. Now these issues are set to be exacerbated overnight as the Government calls on bus and three-wheeler drivers to collect information on their passengers. 

This is problematic for many reasons, not least because the person collecting the information also puts themselves in danger. It is one more point of contact that could spread the disease. For women it is doubly so as their names, phone numbers and other details can be leaked to pretty much anyone, and their safety could be compromised to an alarming extent. Women already live with deep issues in both online and offline spaces. They are often victimised for simply existing, with unsolicited messages, explicit photos and other material sent their way for no other reason than that they are women. Add the extraordinary circumstances created by COVID-19 and the stage is set for an additional layer of danger.  

Privacy may seem a luxury at this point but it is literally a question of life and death to women. The Government needs to stop encouraging knee-jerk and reactionary behaviour and instead work to understand and provide inclusive solutions. 

Already there are many complaints of women, particularly apparel workers in investment zones, being rounded up and transported with no notice by the military. Clearly the military is also overworked and overwhelmed from having to shoulder so much responsibility, making it even more imperative for the Government to stop only working for the benefit of selected powerful individuals and remember that they received a mandate from the people just two months ago to work for their interests. Losing sight of that in such a short period of time will come with serious consequences for all citizens, unless the Government steps up and starts doing its job.