Empathy without institutional support remains a silent virtue. Discuss the ethical responsibility of society in preventing gender-based violence. Examine why silence and apathy are ethical failures.

Q7. Empathy without institutional support remains a silent virtue. Discuss the ethical responsibility of society in preventing gender-based violence. Examine why silence and apathy are ethical failures. (10 M)

Difficulty Level: Medium

Reference: TH

Why the question
The recent Tiruppur dowry suicide case (2025) exposed both social passivity and institutional gaps, reviving ethical concerns around community responsibility and moral indifference to gender-based violence.

Key Demand of the question
The question requires a discussion on the societal and institutional ethical duties in preventing gender-based violence, and a critical examination of how inaction and silence constitute moral failures.

Structure of the Answer:

Introduction
Mention how ethical empathy without supportive structures becomes ineffective in confronting entrenched social violence.

Body

• Explain society’s ethical responsibility through roles of family, community, institutions, and value systems.
• Analyse why moral silence and passive bystander behaviour reflect a failure of civic duty and constitutional fraternity.

Conclusion
Suggest empowering ethical behaviour through collective awareness, early intervention systems, and institutionalising moral responsibility.