Introductory Chapter: Human Sexuality during COVID-19 Pandemic

1. Introduction

Human sexuality and physical well-being involve multiple dimensions of biological, social, and cultural interactions. Sexual relationships and right to choose one’s partner vary from country to country, culture, religion, and the community we live in. Countries like India though there is a great transformation with regard to sex and sexuality, still it is linked to marriage, procreation, parental consent, and even celestial matching of horoscope [1].

Every individual has the right to choose the partner and type of sexual activity and express one’s sexual desire.

2. Sexual expression

The right to have sexual pleasure lies in defining what sexual pleasure is? Sexual desire is not confined to seeking pleasure. It may be for having a baby and for comfort. Sexual desire is not confined to sexual pleasure. People can have sex from nonsexual motives including commercial sexual activities. Social distancing and lockdown during COVID-19 may infringe on the individual rights (autonomy) but needs to be balanced with social responsibility [2, 3].

3. Sexual harm and right to protection

Many women engage in consensual sex but motivated by nonsexual desires including pleasing the partner or as commercial sexual activity. The extreme form of harm is the growing cases of rape of all age groups. This objection is true in that harmful sex gives the participants a reason not engage in it, although it cannot be used to argue that social or legal forces should prevent this action [4].

4. COVID-19 and abuse of children

There is UN human rights experts report that there is an increase in violence against children and sexual exploitation during COVID-19 lockdown [5].

One needs to protect low-income and vulnerable communities and families to minimize COVID-19-induced harm on children. There has to be public awareness program and campaigns, helpline services, safe accommodation, and child protection system in place to reduce harm.

5. COVID 19 and AIDS patients

“COVID-19 is impacting almost every country and community, but the global HIV epidemic hasn’t gone away,” said Winnie Byanyima, UNAIDS Executive Director. “People are still having sex. People are still using drugs. During the COVID-19 pandemic, everyone must be given the tools they need to be safe and to protect themselves from HIV. Human rights are a cornerstone of HIV prevention and must be a cornerstone of the COVID-19 response” [6].

United Nations AID organization warns that one need to prevent increase in new HIV cases and has released documents as how to tackle the situation in COVID-19 pandemic. Overstretched health systems, lockdowns, loss of livelihoods, and fewer employment opportunities could increase unprotected sex, sexual violence and exploitation, transactional sex, and sex work, leading to an increase in new HIV infections.

During the pandemic, teleconsultation or remote consultation to HIV patients may help to provide diagnostic or therapeutic advice through electronic media. Self-testing for HIV will reduce physical contact with other people and help reduce the burden on health services [6].

6. Dalit women and human rights including sexual rights

There are 100 million Dalit women in India and most of them live in rural areas. They face oppression, social exclusion, and sexual abuse from their own community and from upper class.

Dalit women are considered to be intrinsically impure and “untouchable.” Violence and inhuman treatment such as sexual assault, rape, and naked parading are common and serve as a social mechanism to maintain Dalit women’s subordinate position in society.

Dalits in India are known as scheduled caste and are not protected against social discrimination and social exclusion despite a constitutional ban on “untouchability,” and the enactment of specific legislations including the Protection of Civil Rights (PCR) Act, 1955 and the Scheduled Castes and Scheduled Tribes (Prevention of Atrocities) Act, 1989 [7].

In the name of containing community transmission of the novel coronavirus, Dalits are being prevented from using main streets and roads. Such incidents bring back the despicable memories of untouchability, wherein Dalits were not allowed to even enter villages [8, 9].

Objectification of women reduces human dignity and autonomy and lowers women to a lower level. Clear cases of sexual objectification include sexually motivated rape and violence [10].

Sex has intrinsic value and sexual pleasure as sensation or enjoyment often may result in drastic consequences. Sex therefore needs to be balanced protecting women’s sexual rights.

Sexuo-erotic orientation which has defined sexual relationships as heterosexual, homosexual, and transgender has their own perspective and rights that society needs to respect, and social stigma may hinder access to health service in such a pandemic. Sexual exploitation, abuse, and sexual harassment violate human rights and are a betrayal of the core values of the United Nations. These rights need to be protected and safeguarded [11, 12].