(Milcah Anila, Intern Journalist) Vijayawada: India attracts a lot of stereotypes much to the annoyance of citizens. Violence against women is one among them. this is spread among all the regions irrespective of caste and creed. Violence Against Women continues to be one of the most prevalent and least recognized human rights violations in the world. In India, this occurs in many forms: domestic violence, sexual assault, public humiliation, abuse, trafficking, and ‘honor’ killing. One in every two women in India experience violence in their daily life.
Violence against women and girls in India is widespread. It’s a social evil. its a human rights issue that must be approached as an area of common ground that is Crushing social, economic, political, and personal pressures in cultures Despite some progressive legislative measures in recent years, brought about due to pressure from women’s rights movements, the media, and public campaigns, many women continue to experience discrimination and violence in their everyday lives.
Gender-based violence takes place in both public and private spheres. It is often under-reported as a result of systemic and social barriers, and formal mechanisms to address it remain ineffective.
The government of India brought up The Protection of Women from Domestic Violence Act in 2005 enacted to protect women from domestic violence. It was brought into force by the Indian government on 26 October 2006. The Act provides for the first time in Indian law a definition of “domestic violence”, with this definition being broad and including not only physical violence, but also other forms of violence such as emotional/verbal, sexual, and economic abuse.
As per the National Family Health Survey, 30 percent of women have experienced physical violence since age 15, 33 percent of ever-married women have experienced physical, sexual, or emotional spousal violence. However, only 14 percent of women who have experienced physical or sexual violence by anyone have sought help to stop the violence. A lack of awareness of rights and protections by the law, leading to reluctance to report domestic violence.
The PWDVA is important legislation, which can help women protect themselves from domestic violence.
The first thing you need to know is the role of the Protection Officer (PO). It’s a special post created to serve as a liaison between victims and the system. They help victims connect with the courts, the police, and various support services.
Similarly, the law has provisioned for a service provider. There are many organizations, which help women in trouble by providing legal, medical, or financial assistance. Such organizations are required to register themselves under the Act. Once registered, they are called ‘service providers’. With less than 40 percent of women who experience violence seeking the help of any sort of reporting the crime. Less than 10 percent of those women seeking help go to the police.
Even before COVID-19 existed, domestic violence was already one of the greatest human rights violations. In the previous 12 months, 243 million women and girls (aged 15-49) across the world have been subjected to sexual or physical violence by an intimate partner. As the COVID-19 pandemic continues, this number is likely to grow with multiple impacts on women’s wellbeing, their sexual and reproductive health, their mental health, and their ability to participate and lead in the recovery of our societies and economy.
The Issue
Women from Dalit, Adivasi, and other marginalized communities are disproportionately affected by sexual violence. Their marginalization also narrows their avenues to access justice.
Women are being honored as karyeshu dasi, karaneshu Mantri, bhojeshu maatha, seyaneshu Rambha from the olden days indicating that women can’t live independently. humiliation in women has several directions. Some of them are Dowry, patriarchal society, societal norms, age-old beliefs, acid attacks, rapes, dowry, low social value, low salary, fewer job opportunities. Humiliation can be seen in Mahabharata where Draupadi is humiliated. Women’s safety is much vulnerable in this present society. We got independence in 1947, but, still clinging to the clutches of cruel and sadistic men. Delhi and Assam emerge as 1st and 2nd most unsafe places for crime in the female population.
