women held a high place of respect in ancient Indian society as mentioned in the Rigveda and other scriptures. Volumes can be written about the status of our women and their heroic deeds from the Vedic period to modern times. But later on, because of social, political and economic changes women lost their status and was relegated to the background. Many evil customs and traditions steeped in which enslaved the women and tied them to the boundaries of the house.
Domestic Violence
Domestic Violence can be described as when one adult in a relationship misuses power to control another. It is the establishment of control and fear in a relationship through violence and other forms of abuse. The violence
may involve physical abuse, sexual assault and threats. Sometimes it’s more subtle, like making someone feel worthless, not letting them have any money, or not allowing them to leave the home. Social isolation and emotional abuse can have long-lasting effects as well as physical violence.
This form of domestic violence is most common of all. One of the reasons for it being so prevalent is the orthodox and idiotic mindset of the society that women are physically and emotionally weaker than the males. According to United Nation Population Fund Report, around two-third of married Indian women face it.
And now, fuelled by mandatory stay-at-home rules, social distancing, economic uncertainties and anxieties caused by the coronavirus pandemic, It has increased globally.
Rape
In criminal law, rape is an assault by a person involving sexual intercourse with another person without that person’s consent. Outside of law, the term is often used interchangeably with sexual assault, a closely related (but in
most jurisdictions technically distinct) form of assault typically including rape and other forms of non-consensual sexual activity
According to Section 375 of Indian Penal Code, a man is said to commit “rape” who, except in the case hereinafter excepted, has sexual intercourse with a woman under circumstances falling under any of the six following
descriptions:
First: – Against her will.
Secondly: -without her consent.
Thirdly: – With her consent, when her consent has been obtained by putting
her or any person in whom she is interested in fear of death or of hurt.
Fourthly: -With her consent, when the man knows that he is not her
husband, and that her consent is given because she believes that he is
another man to whom she is or believes herself to be lawfully married.
Fifthly: – With her consent, when, at the time of giving such consent, by
reason of unsoundness of mind or intoxication or the administration by him
personally or through another of any stupefying or unwholesome
substance, she is unable to understand the nature and consequences of
that to which she gives consent.
Sixthly: – With or without her consent, when she is under sixteen years of age.
According to the National Crime Records Bureau, one woman is raped every 20 minutes in India. Incidents of reported rape increased 3% from 2011 to 2012. Incidents of reported incest rape increased 46.8% from 268 cases in 2011 to 392 cases in 2012. Despite its prevalence, rape accounted for 10.9% of reported cases of violence against women in 2016.
Sexual harrassment
Sexual harassment is intimidation, bullying or coercion of a sexual nature, or the unwelcome inappropriate promise of rewards in exchange for sexual favours. Sexual harassment in India is termed “Eve teasing” and is described as : unwelcome sexual gesture or behaviour whether directly or indirectly as sexually coloured remarks; physical contact and advances; showing pornography; a demand or request for sexual favours; any other
unwelcome physical, verbal/non-verbal conduct being sexual in nature. The
critical factor is the unwelcomeness of the behaviour, thereby making the impact of such actions on the recipient more relevant rather than intent of the perpetrator. According to India’s constitution, sexual harassment infringes the fundamental right of a woman to gender equality under Article 14 of the Constitution of India and her right to life and live with dignity under Article 21 of the Constitution.
From 2011 to 2012, there was a 5.5% increase in reported assaults on women with intent to outrage her modesty. Madhya Pradesh had 6,655 cases, accounting for 14.7% of the national incidents. From 2011 to 2012, there was a 7.0% increase in reported insults to the modesty of women.Andhra Pradesh had 3,714 cases, accounting for 40.5% of the national accounts, and Maharashtra had 3,714 cases, accounting for 14.1% of the national accounts.
Female foeticide
Female foeticide is a heinous act and an indicator of violence against women. Women in India have suffered a lot and have swallowed
innumerable atrocities for so many generations. Be it wife battering, rapes
or dowry deaths, she has been suffering and subjected to discrimination. The homicide of women exists in various forms in the societies all over. Female foeticide is one of the worst case scenarios which women expect in this country. It is because of this reason that the sex ratio of girls to boys in many parts of the country has dropped to less than 800:1,000. The determination of the sex of the foetus by ultrasound scanning, amniocentesis, and in vitro fertilization has aggravated this situation.
Dowry related marriage and early marriage
In india marriages are preceded by the payment of an agreed-upon dowry by the bride’s family. Failure to pay the dowry can lead to violence.
In Uttar Pradesh, 2,244 cases were reported, accounting for 27.3% of the dowry deaths nationwide. In, Bihar, 1,275 cases were reported, accounting for 15.5% of cases nationwide. Incidents of dowry deaths have decreased 4.5% from 2011 to 2012.
In 2018, still as many as 5,000 dowry deaths are recorded each year.
Early marriage, especially without the consent of the girl, is another form of human rights violation. Early marriage followed by multiple pregnancies can affect the health of women for life.
The report of the Special Rapporteur has documented the destructive effects of marriage of female children under 18 and has urged
Governments to adopt relevant legislation.
Acid throwing
Acid throwing, also called an acid attack, a vitriol attack or vitriolage, is a form of violent assault used against women in India. Acid throwing is the act of throwing acid or an alternative corrosive substance onto a person’s body “with the intention to disfigure, maim, torture, or kill. Acid attacks are usually directed at a victim’s face which burns the skin causing damage and often exposing or dissolving bone. Acid attacks can lead to permanent scarring, blindness, as well as social, psychological and economic difficulties.
Trafficking
Trafficking is defined as a trade in something that should not be traded in for various social, economic or political reasons. Thus we have terms like drug trafficking, arms trafficking and human trafficking. The concept of human trafficking refers to the criminal practice of exploiting human beings by treating them like commodities for profit. Even after being trafficked victims are subjected to long term exploitation.
Women and children from India are sent to nations of the Middle East daily. Girls in prostitution and domestic service in India, Pakistan and the Middle East are tortured, held in virtual imprisonment, sexually abused, and raped.
Every year thousands of women are abducted and traffic to other countries as Sex slaves.
Online bullying
In recent times, social media has gained immense popularity. Often young girls and women are stalked by perverts. They are bullied, trolled and shamed badly.
These were the major crimes against women in India. There are a lot of many other crimes also that women face. All of this are making gender equality a myth in India.
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