Conservative mindset has created a situation like changing a lot even after changing nothing. This is the reason why the sting of domestic violence is also seen in every section of the society. The question is, why women who provide emotional support to every member of the household are forced to face violent behavior inside their own house?
Every human being in the world expects respect and security. But alas, many Indian women do not get an atmosphere of respect even in their homes. Despite being half of the country’s population, women have not been able to get their human rights in their own homes. Inhuman conditions like domestic violence are still coming their share. Even the figures of women becoming educated and self-reliant are not able to give them human rights. The most painful of these is the violence that happens to them over small things. This harassment is not only a cause of mental and psychological pain, but it is also an important cause of problems related to women’s health.
The recently released report prepared on the basis of a survey of about 6.5 lakh households in 707 districts of twenty-eight states and eight union territories of India confirms this. Significantly, in the fifth report of the National Family Health Survey released by the Ministry of Health, it has been revealed that even today about one third of the women in the country are victims of physical or sexual violence.
The sad side of this abuse is that out of such a large population of women who have suffered physical and sexual violence, only fourteen percent have come forward to seek help. Whereas in our country, which is recognized worldwide for family strength, thirty percent of women aged 18-49 years have been victims of physical violence since the age of fifteen.
The highest figures of domestic violence are related to married women, while married life is like a bridge connecting two generations. From the responsibility of the elders to the responsibility of raising children, so much of the family world goes along with the shared life of two human beings. In such a situation, conditions of insecurity and humiliation are created for the women who have suffered the pain and harassment of domestic violence in their own home.
Relationships that give support and support make their life difficult. According to this report, in more than eighty percent of cases of physical violence against women, the husband is the culprit. In such a situation, the question is what kind of shared life is this, in which instead of security and respect, there is a sting of humiliation and torture. What would be more painful than this that not only in public life, but in personal matters also women are living in painful conditions.
According to this report of National Family Health Survey, thirty two percent women have faced domestic violence in their life. Fourteen percent of women have become victims of emotional violence. Six percent of women have also become victims of sexual violence. Many men consider it their right to raise their hands on their wife. Sometimes it is beaten to such an extent that the woman loses her life. It is worth noting that this fifth survey of the Ministry of Health has been done between 2019 and 2021. That is, even in the era of global calamity, the abuse of women continued.
Even in the most uncertain times of life and most in need of family support, during the Corona period, the Women’s Commission had to warn the society and the government about the increase in the incidents of domestic violence. Eight women’s rights organizations, including the All India Democratic Women’s Association, had also expressed deep concern over such difficulties being faced by women in the era of corona infection confined to their homes.
Almost every study and practically every circumstance has been bringing to the fore horrifying statistics and harsh reality of domestic violence. Sometimes in the name of dowry, sometimes in the form of giving birth to a daughter. It is common in our family system to beat up their honor and dignity. Regrettably, this misbehavior has taken root even over the years. This survey shows that cases of domestic violence are also being seen in increasing age. Cases of domestic violence against women have doubled among couples who have lived a long married life.
Statistics show that such cases are 16.4 percent among 18-19 year olds married, while this figure was found to be 32.1 among those in the age group of 40-49. It is very worrying that despite the rising statistics of domestic violence, the number of women who come forward to seek help is very less. Whereas in the last few years the figures of women’s education and economic self-reliance have increased rapidly. Campaigns to bring awareness about women’s rights have gained momentum. The reach of public awareness campaigns related to the empowerment of women has increased.
In such a situation, it would not be wrong to say that the reason for continuing to suffer abusive and painful treatment from loved ones is due to socio-family pressure and stereotyped thinking. The survey has also revealed that the number of women seeking help in such tragic situations is less. The third report of the National Family Health Survey has registered a huge decline so far. In 2005-06, this rate was twenty-four percent, which came down to 14 percent in 2015-2017. There is no change in this figure in the recent survey for 2019-21. The figure of women seeking help was only fourteen percent, while the number of women victims of domestic violence is increasing.
Actually, this violent behavior is the result of thinking on the rut of gender discrimination. Due to this, whether it is the matter of carrying out household chores or financial responsibilities, women who put themselves second in the list of responsibilities to take care of their loved ones have to face this abusive behavior in their own home. Due to the uncooperative environment, many women continue to suffer this misbehavior as their destiny. Women suffering from this stigma are unable to seek help, even though legally this abuse is a crime.
Sometimes they are silenced even citing family honor. No less such families, where violence against women is given systemic support. As a result, the suffocation of the mind of women who are left alone in the face of this tragic behavior also brings them into the circle of physical ailments and psychological troubles.
In fact, the conservative mindset has created a situation like changing a lot even after changing nothing. This is the reason why the sting of domestic violence is also seen in every section of the society. The question is, why women who provide emotional support to every member of the household are forced to face violent behavior inside their own house? A large section of women considers this misbehavior of life partner to be right.
Undoubtedly, behind this acceptance, they are left alone in this fight and life becomes difficult due to social pressure. Because this acrimonious and violent behavior gets support from the family as well, while the victims women are questioned. In such a situation, the society has to think that why this pain is coming on the part of women within its own frame? Why are there such circumstances that women are not able to communicate, even complain about this pain.