DOMESTIC VIOLENCE - SEEN, HEARD, FELT, HIDDEN

 “Violence against women is a manifestation of historically unequal power relations between men and women, which have led to domination over and discrimination against women by men and to the prevention of the full advancement of women.”

Almost every home in India must be suffering from some kind of domestic violence where women either as a daughter, daughter-in-law, or as a wife are abused physically, mentally, verbally or economically. 

Domestic violence is physical, sexual or psychological abuse directed towards one’s spouse, partner or other family member within the household. It occurs when a family member, partner or ex-partner attempts to physically or psychologically dominate or harm the other.

A woman who has been foundation stone of family and society in general who gives birth to life, nurtures life, shapes it, and strengthen it, who is transmitter of tradition and an instrument through which culture is preserved and transmitted from generation to generation, the greatest tragedy in our country is that grave injustice is done to her. She is subjected to domestic violence irrespective of her age, race, and caste, social and economic and political status. Her vulnerability in various forms is the common phenomenon in Indian society. The silent sufferings of a women are making her easy prey to the male domination which is supported by prevalent patriarchy. The authoritative, autocratic nature of male member in society and victimization of female makes the situation worst.

Domestic violence is not only visible, but it is a part and parcel of life of women in India. Violence starts with her from the day her mother conceives her existence in the womb and since then in every phase of her life span, she has to fight for her survival in this rude society. Most of the women in our country are illiterate and they are not aware of the basic law provision and also about their rights, due to which most of the time they do not register the cases against those persons who violate their rights and commit crimes against them. Lack of awareness about the law and rights guaranteed under that legislation for them but most serious problem is that the women are not aware about their rights which are due to traditional customs. Victims are unable to get the legal remedies which are guaranteed by the government for the protection of women. In our society which is said to be tradition bound and a male dominated, women are still treated as secondary sex which makes her to suffer the violence silently. The fact in India women is made to suffer human right abuses in a gender specific way. She is often ignored and underestimated. 

The Protection of Women from Domestic Violence Act (PWDVA), 2005 is passed by the Parliament in response to worldwide demand for such legislation and also the outcomes of the continuous efforts of Women Organizations working for women. The Act gives right and protection to the women. The remedies available to the victim prior to the PWDVA 2005 were in the form of punishment of the offender under IPC, the civil remedy of divorce and maintenance were not giving her ultimate relief, the remedies which were available that were related to matrimonial proceeding and also according with court proceeding. The statutory provision and constitutional provision were available to women, but these provisions were insufficient and the most important problem about it was lack of awareness about their rights which constitution provide for the protection of women. 

Domestic Violence goes beyond the boundaries of race, caste, religion, and class. It is violent victimization of women within the boundaries of family, usually by men which happens behind closed doors and is most often denied by the very women who has been victim of violence.