Violence Against Women’s in India

Abstract

Abstract: Women in India have always been issues of concern. The folks and
society at large consider women as second class citizens. Though we admire
and preach them in the name of Durga, Saraswati, Parvati and Kali, we also
abuse her in the form of Child-marriage, Female infanticide, Sati, Sexual
harassment, Dowry and so on. The status of women in India has been subject to
many great alterations over the past few millenniums. From a largely unknown
status in ancient times through the low points of the medieval period, to the
promotion of equal rights by many reformers, the history of women in India has
been lively. The status of women has varied in different time periods. Violence
against women is partly a result of gender relations that assumes men to be
superior to women. Given the subordinate status of women, much of gender
violence is considered normal and enjoys social sanction. Manifestations of
violence include physical aggression, such as blows of varying intensity, burns,
attempted hanging, sexual abuse and rape, psychological violence through
insults, humiliation, coercion, blackmail, economic or emotional threats, and
control over speech and actions. In extreme, but not unknown cases, death is the
result. These expressions of violence take place in a man-woman relationship
within the family, state and society. Usually, domestic aggression towards
women and girls, due to various reasons remain hidden. Cultural and social
factors are interlinked with the development and propagation of violent
behaviour.

Keywords: Sexual Harassment, Rape, Female Infanticide, Dowry, Eve-Teasing,

Sexual Harassment, Acid Attack Kidnapping, and Molestation.
 1. [ History of violence against women ]

In
Vaidik kal From Ramcharit manas Sita ji even the goddess called
Laxmi avtar and the wife of Vishnu avtar Maryada puroshatam Sri
Ram suffered with violence like abduction. Lankadhipati Ravan
abducted Sita ji.
The second example Draupadi wife of Pandavas. Suffered as the violence like
Assault or criminal force to woman Duryuodhan . Violence is the word belongs
to a savage world thats why we may say that violence is prevalent since the
Evolution of man. Violence is the source of express the superiority or express
possession and Some historians believe that the history of violence against
women is tied to the history of women being viewed as property and a gender
role assigned to be subservient to men and also other women.

The UN declaration

It is not unnecessary if we defined both term of this theme Violence and

Women. The term violence not defined in constitution of India. Violence has
the means in itself intentional use of physical force or power, threatened or
actual, against a group or community that either results in or has high likelihood
of resulting in injury, death, psychological harm mal development or
deprivation.
2. Brief Introduction

Women in India have always been issues of concern. The folks and society at
large consider women as second class citizens. Though we admire and preach
them in the name of Durga, Saraswati, Parvati and Kali, we also abuse her in the
form of Child-marriage, Female infanticide, Sati, Sexual harassment, Dowry
and so on. The status of women in India has been subject to many great
alterations over the past few millenniums. From a largely unknown status in
ancient times through the low points of the medieval period, to the promotion of
equal rights by many reformers, the history of women in India has been lively.
The status of women has varied in different time periods. Violence against
women is partly a result of gender relations that assumes men to be superior to
women. Given the subordinate status of women, much of gender violence is
considered normal and enjoys social sanction. Manifestations of violence
include physical aggression, such as blows of varying intensity, burns,
attempted hanging, sexual abuse and rape, psychological violence through
insults, humiliation, coercion, blackmail, economic or emotional threats, and
control over speech and actions

Women In India: The status of women in India has been subject to many great
changes over the past few millennia. From a largely unknown status in ancient
times through the low points of the medieval period, to the promotion of equal
rights by many reforms, the history of women in India has been eventful. The
current status of women cannot be properly understood without reference to the
predecessor form of womanhood from which it evolved and the process by
which it grew. So the status of women has been traced by dividing into
historical phase’s Ancient society, Medieval society, and Modern society.
Over the last two decades, violence against women has emerged as one of the
most serious problem faced by women. They are experiencing physical and
psychological violence not only from their in-laws but also often from their
intimate partner. The study titled “Violence against Women” was undertaken to
gauge the Extent of violence experienced by women at their marital home along
with the characteristics of the affected parties, major causes leading to violence
and its consequences on the family and the society. The study also looks into
the existing institutional and non-institutional arrangements for addressing
violence and its effectiveness in dealing the cases.
This paper attempts to describe the history of research in the area of violence
against women, through analyzing and examining the focus of research through
the years. In addition, the paper aims to review methodological issues that arise
when studying violence against women, focusing on: methods of data
collection, operational definitions of violence, measures and risk factors.
Furthermore, it tries to provide public opinion with ethical considerations and
implications for conducting such a specific research.
2. Brief Introduction
2.1 Aim & Objective
The term objective may refer to an attitude of mind deemed to be proper to a
scientific investigator i.e. researcher - detached, unprejudiced, open to whatever
the evidence may reveal. The present study intends to make a sincere effort to
understand “Violence against women” from sociological perspectives by
focusing on different issues and aspects.

The broad aim of the proposed study is to investigate the causes and persons
behind violence against women and its consequences. Main objectives of this
study may be summarized of follows:
1. To know the Socio-Economic background of the respondents.
2. To find out the causes of violence against women.
3. To study the forms of violence.
4. To know the persons responsible for violence against women.
5. To know the suggestion for minimizing the violence.
6. To study and examine whether women in India have become fearless or not
after “Domestic Violence Act” came into existence.
7. To find out the impact of violence on women in terms of personal, familial,
social and cultural levels.
2. Brief Introduction

The World Health Organization (WHO), in its research on Violence against

women, categorized it as occurring through five stages of the life cycle:
“1) Pre-birth, 2) infancy, 3) girlhood, 4) adolescence and adulthood and
5) elderly”

Forms of violence experienced by women throughout their lifespan (5)

PHASE TYPE OF VIOLENCE

PRESENT
Pre-birth Sex-selective abortion; battering
during pregnancy; coerced
pregnancy.
Infancy Female infanticide; emotional and
physical abuse; differential access
to food and medical care.
Girlhood Child marriage; genital mutilation;
sexual abuse by family members
and strangers; differential access to
food, medical care and education.
Adolescence Violence during courtship;
economically coerced sex (e.g. for
school fees); sexual abuse in the
workplace; rape; sexual
harassment; arranged marriage;
trafficking.
Reproductive Age Physical, psychological and sexual
abuse by intimate male partners
and relatives; forced pregnancies
by partner; sexual abuse in the
workplace; sexual harassment;
rape; abuse of widows, including
property grabbing and sexual
cleansing practices.
Elderly Abuse of widows, including
property grabbing; accusations of
witchcraft; physical and
psychological violence by younger
family members; differential
access to food and medical care
3. Identification Of Problem

IDENTIFYING PROBLEMS:
I have chosen “Violence against Women: Where are the Solutions?” as the
theme of my address on the following accounts:

 Violence against women is a social, economic, developmental, legal,

educational, human rights, and health (physical and mental) issue.
 It is a preventable cause of morbidity and mortality in women
 The relationship between violence against women and mental illness has
not been adequately explored.
 Application of laws related to violence in the setting of mental illness is
difficult
 Despite the social and religious sanctions against it in all cultures, it has
continued.

Responses by communities, religious institutions, government (various

commissions), international conventions, stringent legislations and penal
measures have failed miserably in containing the menace.
4. Literature Review
4.1. Review of literature is a vital part of any research. It helps the researcher to
know the areas where earlier studies had focused on and certain aspects
untouched by them. There have been numerous thought-provoking studies on
human rights violation against women . A look at the studies shows that
violations against women are increasing day by day in the local and global
context.

Women have always been treated differently, whereas men have claimed all
rights they have denied them to women. Religion has also helped in
perpetuating the denial of equal rights to women. They have also been subject to
socio-economic and cultural deprivations. They have been vulnerable to
violence and exploitation such as harassment, taunts, abuses, battering,
molestation, rape, dowry deaths, sati, mental and physical torture. In many
countries, women are dehumanized, forcibly married, sold off and subject to all
kinds of humiliation.

Keeping in view the stated purposes the researcher has made an attempt to
survey the related literature in the field.

4.1.1 Neera Desai (1986) in trying to analyse women's movement in India

during the period of freedom struggle and subsequently, after independence
clearly pointed out that the women's issues were taken for granted during the
freedom struggle and its almost became a non issues were taken for granted
during the freedom struggle and it almost became a non-issue after
independence i.e., there is hardly any concerted action toward achieving the
goal of equality.

4.1.2 Kishwar (2000), a prominent women’s rights leader in India, abused

women have two choices: one is to file a criminal case against the perpetrator
and face the system head on in the hope of getting some justice; the second is to
file for divorce in a civil court and hope to get maintenance, child support, and
an injunction against harassment. An abusive husband will usually accede to
divorce if the woman is willing to drop charges of violence against him. Also, if
the divorce is granted before the criminal hearings, charges are automatically
dropped. Thus, in many cases lawyers will advise the husband to file for divorce
before the wife files a criminal case against him so it looks like a “mollified
retaliation” case.
4. Literature Review

4.1.3 T.C. Mahadevappa (2012) has conducted a study on gender bais and
social justice this report mainly aims to find the facts and nature of the
widespread description universally practiced on the basis of gender inequality.
It is also accepted that unless the world female population is not in a position to
practically enjoy the equal social opportunity no social change, economic gain
or political authority can lead to peaceful development of human society.
Women are considered as a decisive force of social change and social
development. Gender bias is deeply rooted in Indian society and it has thwarted
serious implementation of the program and policies designed to envisage
empowerment of women. The author lays emphases on imparting education to
women with any discrimination and bias so that women can become catalyst in
the process of development as equal partner.

4.1.4 Ghoi and Deshpande and Shailesh (2013) conducted a study, “Violence
against women in India: A Case for Research in Tackling the Menace”. They
pointed out that violence against women has long been a problem, in times of
peace and war. This violence ranges from very mild teasing to rape and murder
and takes place at home, in the streets, at work places, jails, in short
everywhere. Few crimes against women are reported, fewer still prosecuted and
a negligent number of accused are actually punished. In the absence of detailed
studies on incidence, it is difficult to come up with suggestions to reduce if not
abolish such violence. There is an urgent need for more studies on this violence
so that the psychology of the violators is better understood. Instances of
violence need to be thoroughly investigated, and ways and means devised to
reduce their incidence. There is need for quick and severe punishment for the
accused, which would act as a deterrent too. Any society, in which half the
population is not assured of safety, needs to reconsider its claim to being
civilised.

The above analysis of literature shows a broad spectrum of aspects which have
been covered. They portray the diversity of status of women in Indian society
from the ancient to the modern period. Surveys and studies which cover the
status of women in India are many and quantitatively extensive but they are
very general in their approach. Therefore, there is an essential requirement of
holistic approach for examining status of women and their status could be
considered on vertical research. Considering the aforementioned factors, we
have decided to study “Violence against Women in India: A Sociological
Study”. We have included all the aspects, causes and persons behind domestic
violence for intensive field work.
5. METHODOLOGY
“Research Methodology: Methods & Techniques”, the purpose of research is to
discover answers to the questions through the application of scientific
procedure. The main aim of research is to find out the truth which is hidden and
which has not been discovered yet. Though each research study has its own
specific purpose and mainly the research objectives falls into a number of
groups as mentioned below
 To gain familiarity with a phenomenon or to achieve new insights into it,
studies with this objective in view are termed as exploratory.

 To portray accurately the characteristics of a particular individual,

situation or a group that is called as descriptive studies.
 To determine the frequency with which something occurs or with which
it is associated with something else that is called as Diagnostic research
studies.

The main objectives of the current study were to explore the main types of
violence. Why women tolerate violence, what are the reasons behind it?
Violence and its independent and dependent variables. Independent is the cause
and dependent is the effect of that particular cause.

METHODOLOGY OF THE STUDY

Social scientist in India has remained indifferent to the phenomenon of
Violence against women in particular and intra-family violence in general.
Consequently, no theoretical frame-work has been developed for empirical
verification suitable for Indian conditions. Under these circumstances the
present study has to be dependent on exploratory and descriptive designs of
research.

Sampling Design
The present study has been conducted in the urban and rural areas of Jajpur of
the States of Odisha. A random sample of 250 families is drawn from state. While
drawing a sample of 250 families from state 50% sample was drawn from rural area
and 50 per cent from urban area.
The samples drawn from rural and urban areas represented the families from upper
class, middle class and lower class.
While drawing a sample of 250 families from each state, the geographical area of the
state was divided into five zones, i.e. East, West, North, South and Central. The
places were selected by using random sampling method A sample of 50 families (25
from urban and 25 from rural areas) from zone of district was also drawn on
purposive random sample basis thus giving proper representation to families
belonging to different socio-economic groups and religions.
5. METHODOLOGY

5.1 Table showing distribution of families Zone-wise in District.

ZONE OF URBAN(A) RURAL(B) TOTAL

THE
UC MC LC TOTAL UC MC LC TOTAL A+B
DISTRICT
EAST 5 10 10 25 5 10 10 25 50
WEST 5 10 10 25 5 10 10 25 50
NORTH 5 10 10 25 5 10 10 25 50
SOUTH 5 10 10 25 5 10 10 25 50
CENTRAL 5 10 10 25 5 10 10 25 50
25 50 50 125 25 50 50 125 250

5.2 Tools & Techniques of Data Collection

For collecting primary and secondary data from different sources the
Following tools and techniques were used –
1. Interview Schedule for women respondents.
2. Observation by Investigators
3. Informal discussion with other family members and neighbours.
4. Collection of information from social activists and officials of the social
welfare and police departments.

An Interview Schedule was the principal instrument of the data

Collection from the women respondents. Keeping in view the basic objectives
of the study and based on the major variables and parameters an Interview
Schedule was designed and extensively discussed by the research team. The
items of interview schedule were pre-coded requiring respondents only to check
one of them. The interview schedule was divided in four sections i.e. personal
profile, family profile, nature, and incidence of domestic violence and the
impact of violence on the victims, children in the family and the intra-family
relations. Supportive data like precipitating factors of violence was also
collected by inserting some questions in the interview schedule.

In addition to the interview schedule, which was specifically used for?

women respondents, a response sheet was used for recording the views of the
adult family members and the next-door neighbours. The investigators also
contacted the social activists in the locality to seek information about the known
cases of violence and their views on the problem.
6. ANALYSIS
6.1 Definition Of Violence
Violence against women in general is defined as a force, whether overt or
covert, used to wrest from a woman something that she does not want to give of
her own free will and which causes her either physical injury or emotional
trauma or both. Thus rape, kidnapping, wife-beating, sexual abuse, eve teasing,
mental harassment, physical touchier are all examples of violence against
women. However, the present project is concerned with Violence.

6.2 Understand the root cause of violence against women.

Gender-based violence
Violence against women is gender-based because it is caused by an imbalance
in power between women and men and narrow beliefs and expectations about
How women and men should behave.
Physical, sexual and psychological harm
Violence against women can take many forms, including physical abuse, sexual
abuse and psychological or emotional abuse.
Occurring in public or in private life
All types of violence against women are unacceptable and must be stopped. It
doesn’t matter if they occur in the home or in a public place.
6.3 Types and Forms of Violence against Women in India:
Physical abuse
• punching
• slapping
• kicking
• Torture
• tying someone up
• denying women with disabilities their mobility/assistive devices
• withholding medication
• burning
• choking
• pushing someone down stairs
• dragging a woman by her hair
• Stalking (following a woman around without permission)
Sexual abuse
• Rape (within or outside marriage)
• Unwanted touching
• forced penetration by an object
• pressuring women into any kind of sexual activity
• making unwanted sexual comments
• forcing someone to watch pornography
• Sexual humiliation
• selling women into sexual slavery
6. ANALYSIS

Verbal abuse
• yelling or screaming at someone
• making hurtful or humiliating jokes
• Excessive and unfair judgment and criticism
• Spreading rumours
• blaming a woman for something she hasn’t done
• making unwanted comments in public (catcalling)
Social abuse
• Excessive possessiveness or control over someone’s behaviour
• threatening to harm a woman, her children, family or pets
• threatening to expose a woman’s secrets
• threatening to have a woman’s children taken away
• threatening to commit suicide to stop a woman from leaving
• telling a woman she is ugly or unlovable
• stopping a woman from seeing her friends and family
• Intentionally embarrassing a woman in public
• telling a woman what she can and can’t wear
Economic/financial abuse
• preventing a woman from finding employment
• forcing a woman to quit her job
• controlling a woman’s finances
• withholding money for essential items, such as food, water and medical
treatment
• forcing a woman to work to pay back ‘debt’
Spiritual abuse
• using someone’s religious or spiritual beliefs to manipulate them
• preventing someone from practising their religious or spiritual beliefs
• ridiculing someone’s religious or spiritual beliefs
• forcing the children to be raised in a faith that the partner has not agreed to

Sexual Harassment: Half of the total number of crime against women reported
in 1990 related to molestation and harassment at the workplace. Eve teasing is a
euphemism used for sexual harassment or molestation of women by men many
activists blame the rising incidents of sexual harassment against women on the
influence of “Western culture”.
Dowry: In 1961, the government of India passed the Dowry prohibition Act,
making the dowry demands in wedding arrangements illegal. However, many
cases of dowry –related domestic violence, suicides and murders have been
reported. The term for this is “bride burning” and its criticized within India
itself.
6. ANALYSIS

Child Marriage: Child marriage has been traditionally prevalent in India and
continues to this day. Historically, young girls would live with their parents till
they reached puberty. In the past, the child widows were condemned to a life of
great agony, shaving heads, living in isolation, and shunned by the society.
Although child marriage was outlawed in 1860, it is still a common practice.

Female Infanticides and Sex Selective Abortions: India has a highly

masculine sex ratio, the chief reason being that many women die before
reaching adulthood. It is therefore suggested by many experts, that the highly
masculine sex ratio in India can be attributed to female infanticides and sex-
selective abortions. The abuse of the dowry tradition has been one of the main
reasons for sex-selective abortions and female infanticides in India.

Domestic Violence: The incidents of domestic violence are higher among the
lower socio- economic classes. There are various instances of an inebriated
husband beating up the wife often leading to severe injuries. Domestic violence
is also seen in the form of physical abuse. Domestic violence includes
harassment, maltreatment, brutality or cruelty and even the threat of assault-
intimidation. It includes physical injury, as well as “wilfully or knowingly
placing or attempting to place a spouse in fear of injury and compelling the
spouse by force or threat to engage in any conduct or act, sexual or otherwise,
from which the spouse has a right to abstain”. Confining or detaining the spouse
against one’s will or damaging property is also considered as acts of violence.
Causes of Domestic Violence
There are a number of causes of domestic violence against women. These
Causes range from the trivial to bizarre and include mainly the following –
1. Not doing house-work properly
2. Dressing fashionably
3. Jealousy of husband
4. Husband’s alcoholism
5. Dowry Demands
6. Husband’s mistress
7. Laughing without reason
8. Combing hairs a number of times during day
9. High tone during dialogue
10. Free and Social nature
11. Close relations with friends
12. Boy friends
13. Disrespectful behaviour with elders in the family
14. Refusal to bring money from parent’s house
15. Partial fulfilment or non-fulfilment of promises made at the time of
marriage.
6. ANALYSIS
16. Doubt of love affairs before marriage.
17. Doubt of extra-marital relations
18. Resistance for abnormal sexual behaviour of the husband
19. No child bearing capability
20. Birth of girl child repeatedly
21. Husband economically dependent on parents
22. Husband has problems at work place.
23. Sexual difficulties
24. Low job satisfaction
25. Single personality factor
26. Antisocial personality disorders

Trafficking: The Immoral Traffic (Prevention) Act was passed in 1956.

However many cases of trafficking of young girls and women have been
reported. These women are either forced into Prostitution, domestic work, or
child labour.

Eve- Teasing: Eve teasing is an act of terror that violates a woman’s body,
space and self-respect. It is one of the many ways through which a women is
systematically made to feel inferior, week and afraid. Whether it is an obscene
word whispered into a woman’s ear; offensive remarks on her appearance; an
intrusive way of touching any part of a woman’s body; a gesture which is
perceived and intended to be vulgar; all these acts represent a violation of a
woman’s person, her bodily integrity.

Rape: One-quarter of the reported rapes involves girls under the age of 16 but
the vast majority are never reported. Although the penalty is severe, convictions
are rare. Crimes such as rape as a form of sexual violence are reported to be on
the increase. Around the world, one in five women has been found to be victims
of rape in their lifetime. Many rapes go unreported because of the stigma and
trauma associated with them and the lack of sympathetic treatment from legal
systems. The insecurity outside the household is today the greatest obstacle in
the path of women. Conscious that, compared to the atrocities outside the house,
atrocities within the house are endurable, women not only continued to accept
their inferiority in the house and society, but even called it sweet. In recent
years, there has been an alarming rise in atrocities against women in India.
Every 26 minutes a woman is molested. Every 34 minutes a rape takes place.
Every 42 minutes a sexual harassment incident occurs. Every 43 minutes a
woman is kidnapped. And every 93 minutes a woman is burnt to death over
dowry.
6. ANALYSIS

Acid Attacks:
At times, acids such as sulphuric acid has been used to disfigure or kill women
and girls for reasons such as family feuds, inability to meet dowry demands and
for rejection of marriage proposals. The Government of India should come out
with some more stringent laws to protect the rights of women who are victims
of violence of any kind occurring within the family, so that it will work as the
preventive measure to eradicate the crime. A strict law to be passed to punish
those women who are filing a false compliant against husband or relatives by
misusing of Domestic Violence Act so that there will be fair justice to all.
In our society, violence is bursting. It is present almost everywhere and nowhere
is this eruption more intense than right behind the doors of our homes. Behind
closed doors of homes all across our country, people are being tortured, beaten
and killed. It is happening in rural areas, towns, cities and in metropolitans as
well. It’s crossing all social classes, genders, racial lines and age groups. It is
becoming a legacy being passed on from one generation to another.
7. FINDINGS
7.1 Social –Demographic Details:
 More than half of the respondents (68%) are in between 16 – 35 years.
Thus younger women are more prone to the violent attacks than the older
one.
 Caste – wise distribution shows that violence is prevalent in all caste
categories even in the minority group in India.
 Most of the victims of violence are either house – wife (47%) or engage
in the works of low social status like labour (20%) or maid servants
(14%). It shows that women who are economically dependent or lower
socio - economic status have been found to be strongly related to the risk
of violence.
 From the economic status of the respondents, it is found that about 41%
of the respondents belong to Lower Economic Class and 20% are from
Lower Middle Economic Class. Only 11% of the respondents are from
Upper Economic Class and 10% of them are from families belong to
Upper Middle Economic class. Thus those women belong to lower
economic status are more prone to frequent violent attacks.

7.2 Most Frequent Form Of Domestic Violence:

 Physical Violence (57%)
 Emotional Violence (21%)
 Sexual Violence (8%)
 Economic Violence (14%)
7.3 Frequency Of Violent Attacks:
 Daily (18%)
 More than one times in a week (19%)
 More than one times in a month (15%)
 More than one times in a year (16%)
 Not certain (22%)
 Occasionally (10%)
7.4 Major Causes Behind Violent Attacks:
 Alcohol addiction of husband is prominent cause of domestic violence
against women informed by 30% of the victims.
 18.3% of the respondents told that their husbands or in – laws batter
them if they disobey either to their husband or their in -laws.
 Dowry (13.3%), suspect about extra marital affairs of the victims (10%),
unemployment of male partners (8.3%), dissatisfaction with household
roles played by respondents (9.2%) are also access as prominent causes
of violence.
 10.8% of the respondents informed that they experience violence due to
their infertility problems (6%) or give birth female child only (4.8%).
7. FINDINGS

7.5 Why The Victims Are Living In Such Abusive Environments:

 64% of the respondents informed that due to economic dependence upon
husbands they live in such environment. They further reported that they
have no other place to go and thus there is no option left except living in
such abusive environment.
 On the other hand 24% of the respondents live due to sake of their
children.
 12% of the victims informed that stigma is associated with divorced or
separated women in our society. Thus due to fear of loss of their self –
image and also for reputation and dignity of their parents, they are living
with their husbands or in – laws even after experience of numbers
humiliating attacks.
7.6 Different Sources Of Seeking Help:
 All the victims of domestic violence do not prefer to seek help from any
source and try to deal their violent situation with its own strategy in the
first instance.
 When the situation goes beyond their control 50 of the victims approach
to the informal sources with a hope that such source will be better
equipped to face the abusive situation.
 Out of 50 of the victims 24(48%) prefer to seek help from their parents,
than their close friends 17(34%). Only 9 (18%) of them approach to their
relatives to take the help of them.
 It is also found that out of 50 of the respondents most of them (70%) are
suggested to adjust even in such abusive environment. On the other hand
7(14%) of the victims are advised for divorce, while 8 (16%) of them are
advised for taking help from formal agencies like police, NGOs, judiciary
body etc.
 It is very interesting to note that out of 50 of the respondents, only 6% of
them seek help from formal agencies. They seek help from formal
sources, when they fail to get appropriate help from informal source and
has no other alternative other than to seek help from formal sources.

7.7 Identify Different Ways To End Violence Against Women:

Primary prevention
Primary prevention projects aim to stop violence against women from
happening before it starts. Primary prevention is the most effective yet the most
difficult way to end violence against women because it aims to challenge and
change the attitudes and behaviours that allow violence against women to occur .
7. FINDINGS

Increasing the Access Of Women Survivors To Quality Services

One of the most important ways to address violence against women is by
providing information, services, support and advocacy to women who are
experiencing violence. Some organisations also provide counselling to men who
use violence against women, or children who have witnessed or experienced
violence against women.
Advocating and lobbying for policy development and legislative change
Developing and reforming policies and legislation to prevent, respond to and
punish all forms of violence against women is essential to ending violence
against women in the long term.

7.8 Laws under the Indian Penal Code (IPC)

 Dowry Prohibition Act: any property or valuable (direct or indirect)
given before, at or after the marriage
 Section 304B: Death of a woman within 7 years of her marriage
 Section 498:enticing or taking away or detain a married woman
 Section 498A: When husband or his family subjects woman to cruelty
(“intentional” behaviour that causes serious injury or harassment for
dowry)
 Section 376: Rape law
 Section 376 A:intercourse by a man with his wife during separation
 Section 376 B: intercourse by public servant with woman in his custody
 Section 294: Obscene acts and songs
 Section 354: Intent to outrage a woman’s modesty
 Section 361:kidnapping from lawful guardianship
 Section 494: remarriage
 Section 366: kidnapping, abducting or inducing woman
These are the main offences under the IPC against women. Certain offences are
general against all women and certain offences are responsible in respect of
married women.
8. CONCLUSION

The findings derived from the data gathered from the women living in the
Odisha are scripted below (survey on 50 women’s):
 The study reveals that 20% of the respondents are being hurt physically
by their in-laws/family members.
 34% of the respondents are mentally hurt by their in-laws/family
members.
 32% of the total respondents faces problem of physical violence by their
husband.
 44% of the total respondents faces mental violence by their husbands.
 10 % of the respondents were denied of their basic needs.
 44%of the respondents faces mental depression as a consequence of
violence.
 Basic needs are very badly affected of 50% respondents facing domestic
violence.
 48% of the respondent’s children’s education is very badly affected by
violence.
 76%of the respondents are not aware of laws related to violence.
 94% of the respondents are not aware of any organisation/individual
addressing violence
Suggestions:
The recommendations highlighting the roles/services of various sections for
Reducing the occurrence and prevalence of domestic violence are scripted
Below under the major heads: Judiciary, Government, Police, NGOs, Health
care support, Awareness Generation and Sensitization.

Judiciary
 Strict enforcement of the laws regarding Drug addiction should be made
for reducing the occurrence of domestic violence.
 Measures should be taken to deal severely with the Alcoholics who
perpetuate domestic violence.
 Special courts must be set up for cases of violence against women and
children with up to- date technological support like video graphing of
statements of rape and child abuse victims
Government
 Efforts should be made for the proper and effective enforcement of
existing laws related to women.
 Government Agencies/department should made use of the assistance of
NGOs to create awareness on Domestic violence among the public.
 All police stations should be equipped with special legal aid cells to
provide assistance to victims of domestic violence.
8. CONCLUSION
Police
 Police need to be sensitized to treat domestic violence cases as seriously
as any other crime.
 Special training to handle domestic violence cases should be imparted to
police force.
 They should be provided with information regarding support network of
judiciary, Govt. agencies/departments, and NGOs handling domestic
violence, to make their work more effective and efficient
NGOs
 NGOs working in different fields should be made proactive to the issues
of Domestic Violence so that prompt assistance could be rendered to the
victims.
 Non- Governmental agencies and private institutions need to be a part of
any initiative that seeks to address the issue of Domestic Violence.
 Information regarding all agencies dealing with domestic violence
should be made available to all health care institutions for their reference
resulting in the provision of services as and when required.
Health Care Support
 Authorities should take steps to recognize Domestic Violence as a public
health issue.
 Special Care should be provided to women seeking medical help
following an episode of violence.
 Gender based violence; its impact on health and care of abused women
should be integrated into the medical and nursing curriculum.
Awareness Generation and Sensitization
 Gender sensitization and awareness generation programmes on domestic
violence should become a part of the school and university curriculum.
 This would help to bring about a change in the mind-set of the coming
generations.
 List of NGOs and other governmental organisations dealing with
women’s issues should be made known to the public.
Questionnaire for the analytical study on Violence against women:
What are the causes of violence against women? And what are the ways to reduce it?

ANS: Violence can be physical and/or psychological. The root cause of violence against
women is gender inequality, Culture of violence, Opposition to women’s leadership, Unequal
protection of men and women under the law

Here are eight ways that anyone can help girls and women from violence against:

1)Pass better laws, 2) Educate girls, 3) Resolve conflicts peacefully

4) Train women 5) Stop child marriage

6) Encourage women to vote. Talk about the value of women’s votes and encourage female
candidates.

7) Raise awareness of poverty, especially of the poor conditions some rural women face.

8) Explain human rights. Tell people their responsibilities under international and national
human rights laws.

What are the common forms of violence against women from your point of view in your
country?

ANS: DOMESTIC VIOLENCE, RAPE, ACID ATTACK, MOLESTATION, SEXUAL HARASMENT etc.

What is the meaning of Women Empowerment?

ANS: I think it refers to increasing and improving the social, economic, political and legal
strength of the women, to ensure equal-right to women, and to make them confident enough
to claim their rights, such as: *freely live their life with a sense of self-worth, respect and
dignity. *have complete control of their life, both within and outside of their home and
workplace, to make their own choices and decisions. *have equal rights to participate in
social, religious and public activities, *have equal social status in the society, *have equal
rights for social and economic justice, determine financial and economic choices, and get
equal opportunity for education.

What kind of interventions/chapters can be introduced in compulsory course at

school/college to raise awareness about Violence against Women (VAW)?

ANS: “You can use a debate to engage students on the topic but choose as aspect that can be
argued for and against women such as the laws regarding the perpetrators. This intervention is
very successful in raising students awareness on a topical issue of interest to them. Which I hope
is helpful for you.

What kind of policies/ instruments are there to decrease violence against women

1. Education and awareness in schools and media

2. Law enforcement
 References

[1]. Y.Gurappa Naidu, Violence Against Women in India, Serials publications,

New Delhi,2011.
[2]. Aadesh K. Devgan , Crime Against Women and Child, Cyber Tech
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[3]. Shobha Saxena, Crimes Against Women and Protective Laws,Deep & Deep
Publications Pvt. Ltd, New Delhi,2004.
[4]. Bedabati Mohanty, Violence Against Women, Kanishka Publishers,
Distributors, New Delhi,2005, Pp 48-50, 87-89
[5]. "Acid attack on women unchecked and unabated". The Hindu (Madurai) 13
september , 2014
[6]. Kosambi, Meera (1993) Violence perpetrated against women in India
(Report). Bangkok: UNESCO Principal Regional Office for Asia and the
Pacific.
[7]. "Women SHGs to spearhead campaign against liquor". The Hindu. 7
October 2013.
[8]. "An Epidemic of Crimes against Women?". Mint (New Delhi). 13
September 2013.
[9]. Domestic Violence Against Women in India A.K. Singh, S.P. Singh and
S.P. Pandey Journal of Gender Studies
[10]. www.indiatogether.org/women/violence/violence.htm.