Male
violence against women is a worldwide phenomenon. Although not every woman has
experienced it, and many expect not to, fear of violence is an important factor
in the lives of most women. It determines what they do, when they do it, where
they do it, and with whom. Fear of violence is a cause of women's lack of
participation in activities beyond the home, as well as inside it. Within the
home, women and girls may be subjected to physical and sexual abuse as
punishment or as culturally justified assaults. These acts shape their attitude
to life, and their expectations of themselves.
There are various forms of crime against women. Sometimes, it
begins even before their birth, sometimes in the adulthood and other phrases of
life. In the Indian society, the position of women is always perceived in
relation to the man, from birth onwards and at every stage of life, she is
dependent on him. This perception has given birth to various social customs and
practices. One important manifestation of these customs and practices has been
that of Sati. It is seen as a pinnacle of achievement for a woman. This custom
of self-immolation of the widow on her husband's pyre was an age-old practice
in some parts of the counter, which received deification. The popular belief
ran that the goddess enters into the body of the woman who resolves to become a
sati. The practice of sati has been abolished by law with the initiative of
Raja Ram Mohan Roy in the early decades of nineteenth century. However, there has
been a significant revival of the practice of sati in the last few decades.
Indeed, Rajasthan has been the focal point for this practice in recent years.
Violence against women both inside and outside of their home has
been a crucial issue in the contemporary Indian society. Women in India
constitute near about half of its population and most of them are grinding
under the socio-cultural and religious structures. One gender has been
controlling the space of the India's social economic, political and religious
fabric since time immemorial.
The condition of widows is one of the most neglected social issues
in India. Because of widowhood the quality of life is lowered for many Indian
women. Three percent of all Indian women are widows and on an average, mortality
rate is 86 percent higher among elderly widows in comparison to married women
of the same age group. Various studies indicated that
1.
legal rights of widows are violated,
2.
they suffer forceful social isolation
3.
they have limited freedom to marry
4.
restrictive employment opportunities for
widows,
5.
most widows get little economic support from
their family or from the community.
It is common to read news about violation or wrongs committed on
women every day. Our orthodox society is so much prejudiced by age-old habits
and customs that a violated woman, whether she is forced or helpless, has no
place in the society.
Another danger in India is that, Indian law does not differentiate
between major and minor rape. In every ten-rape case, six are of minor girls.
In every seven minutes a crime is committed against women in India. Every 26
minutes a woman is molested. Every 34 minutes a rape takes place. Every 42
minutes a sexual harassment incident occurs. Every 43 minutes a woman is
kidnapped. And every 93 minutes a woman is burnt to death over dowry.
One-quarter of the reported rapes involve girls under the age of 16 but the
vast majority are never reported. Although the penalty is severe, convictions
are rare.
Recently A female physiotherapy intern was beaten and gang raped in Delhi on 16 December 2012, and died thirteen
days later while undergoing emergency treatment in Singapore for brain and gastrointestinal damage from the assault. She and a
male companion boarded a bus in South
Delhi in the evening after
watching a film, and were assaulted by five passengers already aboard. She was
taken to Safdarjang Hospital,
received multiple surgeries, and was placed on mechanical ventilation. On 26
December, she was moved to Singapore for further treatment, and she died on
29 December.
As of 21
December 2012, six men, including the bus driver, have been arrested. The
incident has generated international coverage and was condemned by the United Nations Entity for Gender
Equality and the Empowerment of Women, who called on the Government of India and the Government "to do everything in their power
to take up radical reforms, ensure justice and reach out with robust public
services to make women’s lives more safe and secure". Public protests took place in Delhi,
where thousands of protesters clashed with security forces. Similar protests
took place in major cities throughout the country.
