Violence Against Women in India

Abstract

The problem of violence against women is not new. Women in the Indian society have been victims of humiliation, torture and exploitation for as long as we have written records of social organization and family life. Today, women are being gradually recognized as important, powerful and meaningful contributors to the life of men; but till a few decades back, their condition waspitiable. Ideologies, institutional practices and the existing norms in society have contributed much to their harassment. Some of these behavioural practices thrive even today. Women and children are often the soft targets. In Indian society the situation is really gruesome. A significant number of deaths are taking place on daily basis, as a result of domestic violence only. Illiteracy, economical dependency on men folk and the otherwise male dominated society is some of the attributing factors to the problem. Dowry is one of the leading causes that results in violence against the newly wed brides. Physically assaulting women, making horrendous remarks and depriving them of basic humanly rights are often show cased in many parts of the country. Violence against women in India is an issue rooted in societal norms and economic dependence. Discriminatory practices are underlined by laws favoring men. Inadequate policing and judicial practices deny female victims proper protection and justice. Although female participation in public life is increasing and laws have been amended, India still has a long way to go to make Indian women equal citizens in their own country. In the analysis of the problem of 'violence against women', we may focus on important issues like nature and extent of female violence in India, on identifying women who are generally victims of crime and violence, on those who are the perpetrators of crime and violence, on what motivate scriminals to commit crimes or victimisers to use violence, and on measures which could contain the depersonalisation trauma of the victims. Hence, the present paper focuses on violence against women in India and study based on secondary sources of data collection.