Defined as a pattern of behaviour in any relationship—marriages, living together, dating— used to gain or maintain power and control over an intimate partner by the United Nations, Domestic Violence can occur in various forms and undermine through physical, sexual, emotional, economic or psychological aspects, and even as threats of actions that influence another person (Kaur et al, 2008).
No corner of the world is untouched by Domestic Violence.
1) 30% of women, 1 in every 3, have experienced intimate partner violence or non-partner sexual violence. That’s 736 million women around the world.
2) 245 million women from ages 15 and above have experienced intimate partner violence in the last 12 months alone (World Bank, 2022). This means, that out of the 10 women you have most recently met, it is statistically likely that 3, if not 4, are being abused.
Nationally, women are subjected to violence from both husbands and members of both the natal and the marital home, as they remain less privileged than boys in terms of their position in the family and society, and access to material resources (Ahuja et al, 2000). Marriage continues to be regarded as essential for a girl; to control a woman’s sexuality by labelling it as a family reputation which needs to be “handed over” to the husband who practically “owns” their wife (Ahuja et al, 2000).
In India, while boys tend to experience greater freedom, girls face extensive limitations on their ability to make decisions regarding their work, education, marriage and social relationships (UNICEF). One in three women in India is likely to have been subjected to violence of a physical, emotional, or sexual nature by their partners (Krishnamoorthy et al, 2019).
The differences in educational attainment level or marital age between spouses, lack of autonomy within the home, dowry pressure, childhood abuse, unemployment, alcoholism, and poverty are all linked to high rates of domestic violence in India (Ahuja et al, 2000).
The lockdown during the COVID-19 pandemic worsened the occurrence of domestic violence in the country. An increase in the prevalence of domestic violence at 32.5% was seen during the lockdown, with the most common form being verbal abuse and most of the abuse committed by the spouse or mother-in-law. While the medical community focused on controlling the spread of COVID-19, women who experience domestic violence may have been neglected considering healthcare system challenges caused by the pandemic (Kamath et al, 2022).
Violence against women, including sexual or physical violence, is linked to many long-term health problems. Long-term mental health effects of violence against women can include Post Traumatic Stress Disorder, Depression or Anxiety. This can further lead to the problem of substance abuse and drug addiction. Sexual violence can result in irreparable injury to sexual violence and a loss of self-worth.
Domestic Violence in women triggers a domino cycle that affects far more than the victims. It affects generations, families, and communities. It affects more than 4 billion females that inhabit the planet.
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