Domestic Violence Against Indian Women Needs to End

It should be human nature to see domestic violence as a crime – and, in many countries, it is. However, its prevalence remains high in many households around the world. One particularly vulnerable population is Indian women; a staggering 33% of women faced domestic violence from their partners between 2019 and 2021, according to a recent study. Millions of women tolerate abuse every day due to fear of the cultural stigma of getting help and lack of access to resources available to help them.

Many Indian women lack the awareness that they have the right to question cultural norms surrounding abuse. Take the example of Pooja, an Indian woman who faced years of abuse and violence from her husband and in-laws after she gave birth to a girl because Indian society traditionally values males over females. Even when she gave birth to a boy years later, the abuse continued as he demanded a dowry. It wasn’t until she was connected with the nonprofit Maitri that she was able to access help.

However, accessing resources like Maitri can be challenging for many Indian women. Although the Protection of Women from Domestic Violence Act, 2005 (PWDVA 2005) made domestic violence a crime with legal consequences like imprisonment and fines, the law is not adequately enforced. In addition to better legal resources, awareness of other resources for domestic violence victims to get help, especially in underserved areas with lower education, is necessary. For example, there needs to be more organization of educational workshops implemented at schools, workplaces, and community spaces like churches and temples through discussions. Legal experts could educate women about the legal protections they have under the PWDVA 2005. Funding for safe shelters that women can go to for questions about getting help for domestic violence and seeking a place to stay – such as Shakti Shalini – is also crucial, as is funding self-help groups.

There are many consequences of domestic violence, including numerous health effects that are often underestimated. Facing abuse daily in your home is traumatizing, and for a lot of women, this leads to mental health disorders like post-traumatic stress disorder, anxiety, and depression. Sexual violence portrays a big risk not only to women’s mental health but also their physical health in terms of exposing them to sexually transmitted infections like HIV.

Domestic violence in India is a significant issue that has impacted millions of women's lives. Domestic violence not only completely takes over a woman's life but makes many women believe that there is no other option other than to live this type of life. This has affected women by making them feel mentally trapped, physically abused, and emotionally manipulated to feel lower than men. Domestic violence needs to be less normalized by being enforced as a crime and by Indian society, making resources more well-known and accessible.