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Bitter Truth of Progressive India: Violence Against Women

Shagun Kulshreshtha


Women, while being considered as "devi" of the patriarchal Indian household, have been facing discrimination due to the structural and institutional inequality of society which is held up by male chauvinists. Women who don't "fit" the social construct of a family caregiver, a submissive homemaker, and an obedient wife, still face the dismissive side glances and repulsive gazes. Girls who want to educate themselves are still shunned by their own family as "too demanding" or "too independent". 

A complex concept, violence: it lurks on the streets after 7 pm, while it roams freely in our own homes, buildings and families. According to the National Family Health Survey (NFHS 4), every THIRD woman, since the age of 15, has faced violence in her life. Eve teasing/catcalling, rape, forced prostitution, femicide, infanticide are just some evils that continue to prevail largely in our society.

The more alarming idea of violence is that it exists in homes, where a person is at their most vulnerable state. It takes the name of "Domestic violence" and encompasses both physical, and mental tortures. Marital rape, rape by a family member, forced abortion, beating, dowry murders are some of the physical domestic violence faced by women and emotional abuse, infidelity, pressure for dowry are the mental tortures that affect the well-being of women and often drive them to take their own lives.

It is very essential to assess the major archaic ideology that has led to this egregious situation. Our society has laid out "rules" that everyone needs to follow. These instructions are rigid, and have assigned roles to males and females. The male is the breadwinner, only he can earn and provide for the family. While the women are to take care of the children and elders of the family and make sure that her spouse is served well. 

But with time, these rules have grayed, and with each generation, women are realising their rights and the absurd and groundless boundaries set for them by the community. But sadly, they haven't faded in the minds of the former generation who also influence their descendants. 

Due to this strange mentality that women are inferior to men, these men feel entitled enough to assert their power over women through force. They sexually abuse women, they hurt them, they kill them; all to satisfy their egos and "put the women in their place". 

The state of women is so dire, that be it a small baby, a preteenager, a teenager, an adult, or an older woman, they are NOT safe anywhere. The constant fear of being attacked and the consequences that follow is not only stress-inducing, but also outrageous. It is unfair that half of the country's population lives this way. 

Most of the crimes against women go unreported. This is because of VICTIM SHAMING. Our society is such, that they will sympathise with people who have been robbed, but will BLAME and humiliate a woman who has been raped. Most of the victims do not speak out as the community they live in will instead of supporting them, estrange them while the criminal will roam free. Hardly any cases that are reported get the justice they all deserve. 

Initiatives by the government and non-governmental organisations have made some noteworthy efforts to bring about balance in the society by empowering the “weak”. The “Mahila Panchayat”, a women’s empowerment programme by Sshrishti in collaboration with the Delhi Commission for Women, have made an approachable forum for women living in Bhatti Mines, Delhi. The team conducts workshops and weekly meetings for raising awareness and to solve issues faced by the women in their families and communities. Mahila Panchayat not only registers complaints with the police, but also tries to coach and counsel the couples and women who approach them.

Though there is more awareness regarding this issue now, we still have a long way to go. We need to reach a society that is accepting and respecting of all genders, without any shackles that bind them to any roles. Women from all walks of life should be able to make their own choices without being forced and be respected for them.


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