Violence against women in India refers to physical or sexual violence committed against a woman, typically by a man. Common forms of violence against women in India include acts such as domestic abuse, sexual assault, and murder. There are several forms of violence against women, murder (dowry deaths, honor killings), female infanticide, sexual crimes (rape, modesty related violence, human trafficking, forced prostitution, domestic violence), acid throwing, perpetuation.[1]
A dowry death is the murder or suicide of a married woman caused by a dispute over her dowry.[3] In some cases, husbands and in-laws will attempt to extort a greater dowry through continuous harassment and torture which sometimes results in the wife committing suicide.[4] The majority of these suicides are done through hanging, poisoning or self-immolation.
Bride burning, a form of dowry death, occurs when a woman is set on fire. This act is referred to as bride burning murder, and it is frequently staged to look like a suicide or accident. In some instances, the woman is set on fire in a manner that suggests she caught fire while cooking on a kerosene stove.[5] Despite the illegality of dowry in India, the tradition of giving costly gifts to the groom and his relatives remains prevalent at weddings organized by the bride's family.[6] According to The National Crime Records Bureau (NCRB) data, 6,589 dowry deaths were registered in the year 2021 all over the country, a 3.85% decline from 2020, with highest number of dowry deaths from the state of Uttar Pradesh(2,222 dowry deaths) and highest dowry death rate(per 1,00,000 population) in the state of Haryana.[7] [8]
| Year | Reported dowry deaths[9] | |
|---|---|---|
| 2008 | 8,172 | |
| 2009 | 8,383 | |
| 2010 | 8,391 | |
| 2011 | 8,618 | |
| 2012 | 8,233 | |
| 2020 | 6,843[10] | |
| 2021 | 6,589[11] |
An honour killing is a murder of a family member who has considered to have brought dishonour and shame upon the family.[12]
Examples of reasons for honor killings include:[13]
Village caste councils or khap panchayats in certain regions of India regularly pass death sentences for persons who do not follow their diktats on caste or gotra. The volunteer group known as Love Commandos from Delhi, runs a helpline dedicated to rescuing couples who are afraid of violence for marrying outside of caste lines.[14]
The most prominent areas where honour killings occur in India are the northern states—they're especially numerous in Haryana, Bihar, Uttar Pradesh, Rajasthan, Jharkhand, Himachal Pradesh, and Madhya Pradesh.[15] [16] Honour killings have notably increased in some Indian states which has led to the Supreme Court of India, in June 2010, issuing notices to both the Indian central government and six states to take preventative measures against honour killings.[17]
Honor killings can be very violent, for example, in June of 2012, a father decapitated his 20-year-old daughter with a sword upon hearing that she was dating a man who he did not approve of. Another example was in September of 2013 when a young couple decided to get married after having a love affair and were later brutally murdered. [18] [19] [20]
See main article: Female infanticide in India.
Female infanticide is the selected killing of a newborn female child or the termination of a female fetus through sex-selective abortion.
In India, there is incentive to bear a son due to their role in providing security for the family in old age and conducting rituals for deceased parents and ancestors. Conversely, daughters are viewed as a societal and economic burden. An illustration of this is the practice of dowry. The apprehension of being unable to afford a socially acceptable dowry and facing social ostracism can result in female infanticide in economically disadvantaged families.[21]
Pew Research Centre estimated as many as 9 million females missing from Indian population in the period 2000-2019 according to Indian government data.
Contemporary advancements in medical technology enable the determination of a child's sex during the fetal stage. Following the identification of the fetus's sex through these modern prenatal diagnostic methods, families have the option to choose abortion based on gender. A study revealed that out of 8,000 abortions, 7,997 were performed on female fetuses.
The fetal sex determination and sex-selective abortion by medical professionals now costs 1,000 crore Rupees (244 million US Dollars).[22]
Background:
See main article: Rape in India. India is perceived as one of the world's most dangerous countries for sexual violence against women. Rape is one of the most common crimes in India.[23]
| Year | Reported rapes[24] | |
|---|---|---|
| 2008 | 21,467 | |
| 2009 | 21,397 | |
| 2010 | 22,172 | |
| 2011 | 24,206 | |
| 2012 | 24,923 | |
| 2013 | 34,707 | |
| 2014 | 36,735 | |
| 2015 | 34,651 | |
| 2016 | 38,947[25] | |
| 2017 | 32,599[26] | |
| 2018 | 33,356[27] | |
| 2019 | 32,033[28] | |
| 2020 | 28,046[29] | |
| 2021 |
Despite an increase in reported cases of rape, numerous incidents either remain unreported or have their complaints withdrawn, often stemming from concerns about compromising family honor. Many women face challenges in obtaining justice for rape cases as law enforcement may not provide a fair hearing, and medical evidence is frequently undocumented, allowing offenders to evade consequences within the current legal framework.
After international news reported the gang rape of a 23-year-old student on a moving bus that occurred in Delhi, in December 2012, Delhi experienced a significant increase in reported rapes. The number of reported rapes nearly doubled from 143 reported in January–March 2012 to 359 during the three months after the incident.[35] After the Delhi rape case, self defense programs run by NGOs like Survival Instincts and Krav Maga Global (KMG) were made mandatory[36] in corporate organizations, and the International Women's Day programs started focussing on improving women's safety in workplaces, and homes.
In India, marital rape is not a criminal offense. India is one of fifty countries that have not yet outlawed marital rape.[37]
Marital rape can be classified into one of three types:[39]
Violence against women related to modesty encompasses assaults intended to outrage a woman's modesty and insults to the modesty of women.
In the period from 2011 to 2012, there was a 5.5% rise in reported assaults with the intent to outrage her modesty, with Madhya Pradesh contributing 6,655 cases, making up 14.7% of the national incidents. During the same period, reported insults to the modesty of women increased by 7.0%, with Andhra Pradesh recording 3,714 cases, constituting 40.5% of the national total, and Maharashtra documenting 3,714 cases, representing 14.1% of the national total.
| Year | Assaults with intent to outrage modesty | Insults to the modesty of women | |
|---|---|---|---|
| 2008 | 40,413 | 12,214 | |
| 2009 | 38,711 | 11,009 | |
| 2010 | 40,613 | 9,961 | |
| 2011 | 42,968 | 8,570 | |
| 2012 | 45,351 | 9,173 | |
| 2013 | 70,739 | 12,589 | |
| 2014 | 82,235 | 9,735 | |
| 2015 | 82,422 | 8,685 |
See main article: Human trafficking in India. During the period between 2011 and 2012, a noticeable surge of 5.3% was observed in the occurrences of violations under the Immoral Traffic (Prevention) Act[40] of 1956 in India. Within this alarming trend, Tamil Nadu reported a substantial 500 incidents, representing a significant 19.5% share of the total nationwide violations. Simultaneously, Andhra Pradesh documented 472 incidents, contributing significantly with an 18.4% share to the overall national statistic. This increase in reported violations underscores the pressing need for enhanced efforts and measures to address and curb the illicit activities falling under the purview of the Immoral Traffic (Prevention) Act of 1956 in various states across the country.
| Year | Imported girls from foreign countries | Violations of the Immoral Traffic Act | |
|---|---|---|---|
| 2008 | 67 | 2,659 | |
| 2009 | 48 | 2,474 | |
| 2010 | 36 | 2,499 | |
| 2011 | 80 | 2,435 | |
| 2012 | 59 | 2,563 | |
| 2013 | 31 | 2,579 | |
| 2014 | 13 | 2,070 | |
| 2015 | 6 | 2,424 |
See main article: Domestic violence in India.
The National Family Health Survey (NFHS) conducted in 2016 uncovered a concerning aspect: a substantial 86% of Indian women who experienced domestic violence chose not to disclose their ordeal, refraining from sharing it with friends or family members. This silence is intricately tied to the victims' internalization of social norms, leading them to believe that they are inadequate as wives and, consequently, deserving of the inflicted punishment.
The pervasive acceptance of domestic violence among women is further highlighted by survey findings indicating that 45% of Indian women rationalize their husbands' abusive actions. The complexity of this issue is illuminated by the National Family Health Survey of 2019–21, pointing out the alarming acceptance of spousal abuse in the southern states of Tamil Nadu, Karnataka, Andhra Pradesh, and Telangana.[42] [43] [44] [45] In these states, a striking 80% of wives express agreement that their husbands are justified in resorting to physical violence, a notably higher percentage compared to other regions in India.
Equally disconcerting is the acknowledgment by 38% of Indian men admitting to engaging in physical abuse against their partners.[46] In response to the widespread prevalence of domestic violence, the Indian government has implemented legislative measures, notably the Protection of Women from Domestic Violence Act of 2005. While these efforts signify a commitment to addressing the issue, the data underscores the complex interplay of societal attitudes and norms that contribute to the persistence of domestic violence, emphasizing the need for comprehensive strategies to challenge and dismantle deeply ingrained beliefs and behaviors.
| Year | Reported cruelty by a husband or relative | |
|---|---|---|
| 2008 | 81,344 | |
| 2009 | 89,546 | |
| 2010 | 94,041 | |
| 2011 | 99,135 | |
| 2012 | 106,527 | |
| 2013 | 118,866 | |
| 2014 | 122,877 | |
| 2015 | 113,403 |
Young girls face a heightened susceptibility to coerced early marriages, confronting a dual vulnerability owing to their status as both children and females. The plight of child brides is exacerbated by their limited comprehension of the significance and obligations associated with marriage. The factors contributing to such early unions encompass the prevailing perception that girls represent a burden on their parents, coupled with the apprehension that they might compromise their chastity prior to marriage. This multifaceted issue underscores the urgent need for comprehensive interventions and awareness programs to address the root causes and consequences of child marriages, recognizing the unique challenges faced by young girls caught in this distressing phenomenon.[47]
Around 7.84 million female children under the age of 10 are married in India.[48]
Acid throwing, also known as an acid attack or vitriolage, stands as a brutal form of violent assault disproportionately affecting women in India. This heinous act involves the intentional hurling of acid or corrosive substances onto an individual's body "with the intention to disfigure, maim, torture, or kill."[49] Typically directed at the face, acid attacks cause severe burns, damaging the skin and often exposing or dissolving bone.[50] [51] The aftermath of such attacks is marked by enduring physical scars, potential blindness, and the onset of various social, psychological, and economic challenges.
Recognizing the gravity of this issue, the Indian legislature has taken steps to regulate the sale of acid. However, despite these measures, women in India face a heightened risk of falling victim to acid attacks, constituting at least 72% of reported cases. Disturbingly, the country has witnessed a rising trend in acid attacks over the past decade.[52]
Between 2014 and 2018, National Crime Records Bureau data revealed that 1,483 victims registered cases of acid attacks in India. While the number of acid attacks continues to rise, there is a concerning decline in the number of people charged by the police. Uttar Pradesh, West Bengal, and Delhi collectively account for 42% of all acid attack victims in India. Perpetrators of these horrific crimes often evade punishment, as exemplified by the fact that out of 734 cases that went to trial in 2015, only 33 cases resulted in completion.[53]
In a poignant response to this crisis, in 2018, Zainul Abideen ran a 720 km route known as the golden triangle in India, spanning from Delhi to Agra to Jaipur, to raise awareness about acid and rape attacks and advocate for women's safety. This initiative underscores the urgent need for widespread awareness and systemic changes to curb the alarming incidence of acid attacks and ensure justice for the survivors.[54]
The persistence of violence against women in India is deeply rooted in entrenched systems of sexism and patriarchy that permeate Indian culture.[55] The cycle begins in early childhood, where young girls face unequal access to education compared to their male counterparts.[56] Gender-based inequality manifests even earlier, with reports indicating that female children often receive less food and are provided with less nutritious diets lacking in essential elements like butter and milk and 80% of boys attend primary school, while only half of the girls are afforded the same opportunity.[57]
Education itself becomes a contributing factor to the perpetuation of gender disparities, as girls are informed about the inequities they will face in life, whereas boys remain uninformed and unprepared to treat women and girls as equals.[58]
As women progress into adulthood, the social climate continues to reinforce inequality, contributing to the prevalence of violence against them. Within the context of marriage, many women in India come to perceive violence as a routine aspect of their married lives. Those subjected to gender-based violence often face victim-shaming, being told that their safety is solely their responsibility and that any harm they endure is their own fault. Social and cultural beliefs, such as the importance of family honor, exert immense pressure on women to remain complicit in the face of abuse.[59]
When a woman decides to report an incident of gender-based violence or crime, access to adequate support is not guaranteed. Law enforcement officers and doctors may opt not to report cases due to fears of damaging their own honor or bringing shame upon themselves. Even when a victim seeks medical assistance, archaic and invasive methods like the notorious "two-finger test" are often employed, exacerbating the problem and causing psychological harm.
In response to this pervasive issue, organizations like Dilaasa have emerged to combat the perpetuation of violence against women in India. Dilaasa, a hospital-based crisis center operated in collaboration with CEHAT, aims to provide proper care for survivors of violence against women and strives to address gender inequality. From 2000 to 2013, around 3,000 victims of sexual assault, domestic abuse, or other forms of gender-based violence have registered with Dilaasa, underscoring the urgent need for comprehensive efforts to break the cycle of violence and foster gender equality in India.[60]
Kumar Kharwar . Shiv . Kumar . Vivek . Crimes Against Women In The 21st Century . International Journal of Multidisciplinary Research and Explorer . 2021 . 1 . 1 . 23 June 2022.