A Study in Domestic Violence against Women in India Determinants and Consequences

Abstract

Although violence at home affects the lives of millions of women worldwide, across diverse socioeconomic classes, it is yet under recognized human rights violation in the world. It can trigger a profound health problem that could sap women s energy, debilitate their physical and mental health, and erode their self-esteem. Until recently, the general view was that cases of violence against women could be appropriately addressed through the social welfare and justice systems. During the past decade, however, the combined efforts of grass-roots and international women s organizations, international experts, and governments have resulted in a profound transformation in public awareness regarding this issue. Violence against women, also known as gender-based violence, is now widely recognized as a serious human rights abuse. The official United Nations definition of gender-based violence was first presented in 1993 when the General Assembly passed the Declaration on the Elimination of Violence against Women. Domestic Violence is a sensitive topic and the varying causes which can spark the violence within the four walls of homes need to be analysed carefully and study of the factors causing the violence may prevent a family to suffer from the menace of domestic violence. In India comprehensive household data on the prevalence and costs of domestic violence are lacking. This hidden nature of domestic violence against women remains so due to the social construction of the divide between public and private affairs, either because women are ashamed to discuss about it, or because no one has thought to ask them about it, or because it is considered as a natural part of culture. Domestic violence is to be perceived not as a law and order problem alone. Its impact has far reaching effects on the family life, health of woman, life of children etc. Studies such as these which examines the causes, its nature and manifestations and consequences would assist the general society.