In Iraq, suicides, murders and accounts of domestic violence have increased, highlighting - according to psychologists and social workers - the negative effects of the quarantine imposed by the authorities to stem the novel coronavirus.
The Iraqi public was shocked by the recent suicide attempt by Malak Haider al-Zubaidi, 20, who was the victim of domestic violence inflicted by her husband, Mohammed al-Mayahli, and his family.
Al-Zubaidi is the second wife of al-Mayahli who, according to her family, had forbidden her from visiting her parents for eight months.
Al-Mayahli, a police officer, wrote on his Facebook page that al-Zubaidi had suffered from a mental illness and had set herself on fire.
"She burned herself with petrol and accused me and my family," he wrote.
Activists reacted with scorn to his words, and some shared an unverified statement from his family, saying that as sons of an important colonel in the army, the law cannot touch them.
Days after exchanging accusations between al-Zubaidi’s family and al-Mayahli, Malak was announced dead by the hospital in Najaf where she was receiving treatment for her wounds.
Activists, a few days ago, also reported an abusive father tying his teenage daughter to a house pillar for over 20 days in an attempt to discipline her, according to his police statement.
Other reports of domestic abuse poured in from all over Iraq.
Psychologist Jamil al-Tamimi said the imposed quarantine can negatively affect the daily lives of Iraqi families, especially those suffering underlying conditions and instability.
“Of course, the quarantine has an effect. I personally receive calls daily from patients who have gotten worse under lockdown,” Tamimi told Asharq Al-Awsat.
“The quarantine deepens domestic disputes due to the constant friction between family members-- here I am referring to families who already have problems,” he added.
Tamimi pointed out that the economic factor also plays a role in aggravated domestic violence and suicide.
“I know women who used to work outside the house before, and today their livelihoods have been cut off, and they are suffering psychological breakdowns,” he noted.
Tamimi added that the government must pay attention and take measures against the social fallout of the quarantine the way it does to stem the spread of the coronavirus.
