- Prelims: Current events of national importance(Different social service Schemes, PWDVA 2005, NFHS etc
- Mains GS Paper I & II: Laws, institutions and bodies constituted for the protection and betterment of vulnerable sections of society etc
ARTICLE HIGHLIGHTS
- On International Day for Elimination of All Forms of Violence against Women (November 25), the brutal murder and mutilation of a young woman by her partner has drawn attention to intimate partner violence.
- It is recognised under the Protection of Women from Domestic Violence Act 2005 (PWDVA) as a kind of domestic violence.
INSIGHTS ON THE ISSUE
Context
Domestic violence:
- It is violence committed by someone in the victim’s domestic circle.
- This includes partners and ex-partners, immediate family members, other relatives and family friends
The Protection of Women from Domestic Violence, 2005:
Status of domestic violence in India:
- National Family Health Survey-5 (2019-21): 32% of ever-married women aged 18-49 years have ever experienced emotional, physical, or sexual violence committed by their husband.
- Rural vs urban: More rural than urban women reporting experiences of domestic violence.
- Domestic violence: Almost a third of women are subject to domestic violence.
- National Family Health Survey-5 (2019-21): only 14% of women who have experienced domestic violence have sought help(much lower in the rural areas).
- NFHS-5: Women are more likely than men to justify a scenario in which it is acceptable for a husband to beat or hit his wife.
Challenges associated with reporting of domestic violence:(on the basis of research in Maharashtra, West Bengal and Tamil Nadu):
- Hopeful: Women are hopeful that things will change.
- Burden: women did not want to be a ‘burden’ on others, in particular their families.
- Source of problem: Women believe that they would become ‘a problem’ or a source of ‘tension’ for their families, bringing them shame and dishonor
- Migrant women, trans people or those with several sisters, or ill, older or deceased parents: Perpetrator’s violence was their individual responsibility to manage
From whom do most of the women seek help?
- First group of women mainly turned to their parents.
- In a minority of cases: Daughter’s welfare was prioritized over the well-being of the family.
- Police and lawyers: Some Infrequently approach the police and lawyers.
- Actions of relatives or neighbors who witnessed the violence were often pivotal in transforming their situations.
- They were key ‘turning’ or ‘tipping’ points such as a survivor’s heightened concerns for their children’s safety
Role of the police:
- Reporting to police: Women who reported experiences of violence to the police were cynical about the outcome.
- Majority believe: The police were part of the problem rather than a solution to violence.
- Police were more likely to send women back to violent households
- To reconcile with the perpetrator
- Use violence against perpetrators as a deterrent instead of filing an official complaint or connecting women to protection officers and other service providers.
Way Forward
- Despite the law existing on paper, women are still largely unable to access the law in practice.
- Its promise and provisions are unevenly implemented, unavailable and out of reach for most Indian women
- Access to legal justice through the courts was a material possibility only for women with independent wealth and connections or those supported by specialist non-governmental organizations.
- More awareness and assistance is a step forward direction.
- Several States are yet to implement Protection officers: where they are in post, they are under-resourced, under-skilled and overworked, making their remit impossible.
- Capacity building and training to service providers and law enforcement officers to handle cases of violence against women
- Legislature recognises that domestic violence is a crime, and civil remedies exist through protection orders, managing the fallout of domestic violence is still being subcontracted to survivors and the family.
- Financial Independence: Improving women’s access to paid employment.
QUESTION FOR PRACTICE
Q. Explore and evaluate the impact of work from home on family relationship.(UPSC 2022) (200 WORDS, 10 MARKS)
