Violence against women in India
Common forms of violence against women in India include acts such as domestic abuse, sexual assault, murder, female infanticide, and acid throwing.
[6] Despite the illegality of dowry in India, the tradition of giving costly gifts to the groom and his relatives remains prevalent at weddings organized by the bride's family.
The volunteer group known as Love Commandos from Delhi, runs a helpline dedicated to rescuing couples who are afraid of violence for marrying outside of caste lines.
In India, there is incentive to bear a son due to their role in providing security for the family in old age and conducting rituals for deceased parents and ancestors.
[33] Despite an increase in reported cases of rape, numerous incidents either remain unreported or have their complaints withdrawn, often stemming from concerns about compromising family honour.
Many women face challenges in obtaining justice for rape cases as law enforcement may not provide a fair hearing, and medical evidence is frequently undocumented, allowing offenders to evade consequences within the current legal framework.
This increase in reported violations underscores the pressing need for enhanced efforts and measures to address and curb the illicit activities falling under the purview of the Immoral Traffic (Prevention) Act of 1956 in various states across the country.
The complexity of this issue is illuminated by the National Family Health Survey of 2019–21, pointing out the alarming acceptance of spousal abuse in the southern states of Tamil Nadu, Karnataka, Andhra Pradesh, and Telangana.
[46][47][48][49] In these states, a striking 80% of wives express agreement that their husbands are justified in resorting to physical violence, a notably higher percentage compared to other regions in India.
While these efforts signify a commitment to addressing the issue, the data underscores the complex interplay of societal attitudes and norms that contribute to the persistence of domestic violence, emphasizing the need for comprehensive strategies to challenge and dismantle deeply ingrained beliefs and behaviors.
[43] Young girls face a heightened susceptibility to coerced early marriages, confronting a dual vulnerability owing to their status as both children and females.
The factors contributing to such early unions encompass the prevailing perception that girls represent a burden on their parents, coupled with the apprehension that they might compromise their chastity prior to marriage.
This multifaceted issue underscores the urgent need for comprehensive interventions and awareness programs to address the root causes and consequences of child marriages, recognizing the unique challenges faced by young girls caught in this distressing phenomenon.
[58] In a poignant response to this crisis, in 2018, Zainul Abideen ran a 720 km route known as the golden triangle in India, spanning from Delhi to Agra to Jaipur, to raise awareness about acid and rape attacks and advocate for women's safety.
[61] Gender-based inequality manifests even earlier, with reports indicating that female children often receive less food and are provided with less nutritious diets lacking in essential elements like butter and milk and 80% of boys attend primary school, while only half of the girls are afforded the same opportunity.
Social and cultural beliefs, such as the importance of family honour, exert immense pressure on women to remain complicit in the face of abuse.
Even when a victim seeks medical assistance, archaic and invasive methods like the notorious "two-finger test" are often employed, exacerbating the problem and causing psychological harm.
Dilaasa, a hospital-based crisis center operated in collaboration with CEHAT, aims to provide proper care for survivors of violence against women and strives to address gender inequality.
