Domestic violence against women is a serious problem that threatens the physical, and emotional well-being of women and negatively affects the quality of their lives. Domestic violence is not simply an argument. It is a pattern of control that one person can exercise over another. Domestic violence occurs within a range of relationships including couples who are married, living together 0r dating.
The causes behind battering women are very complicated indeed. Men beat their wives for many different reasons. In many countries, men beat their wives because this is what society expects the man to do so in order to protect his role as the man. In male-dominated societies, both women and children are beaten and treated in the same way because they are not seen as full-grown human beings. Women are not allowed to express themselves and they are not expected to do so. Some men beat their wives because they are violent people. They cannot control their bad temper and behavior and therefore, they lose their self-control and express themselves through violence, because of this men continue to beat their wives, mothers, and sisters so they do not get punished for it. It has been seen that the woman does not defend herself by complaining to the authorities or she simply gets used to it. The violence of the husband towards his wife makes him repeat the violence more effortlessly over the course of time and turning the life of the wife into a living hell.
It has been noticed subsequently that many women are willing to bear the pain of battery if they have children. These women fear that a divorce could shatter the lives of their children. They accept their situations and try to cope with them as long as the well-being of their children. Some of the women forcefully want to stay with their violent husbands because of their economic needs. A woman who does not have sufficient education, who does not have an independent source of income, and who cannot survive on her own will find it difficult or even more impossible to leave her husband especially if a woman is fully dependent on men. And in many cases, the husband becomes more encouraged to be violent with his wife since he is aware that she cannot resist leaving him.
It is witnessed in countless cases of domestic violence against women that the victims get used to the situation and lack the help and support of family, society, and friends. She cannot take decisions independently to end the relationship.
In Kashmir, most of the women who suffer from domestic violence belong to lower middle-class families who can’t bear the reputation of their families being shredded to pieces and there is also a wrong misconception among various families in Kashmir that the judiciary won’t be able to help them. Often these families and women are acquainted with very less exposure to women’s rights and Feminist lobbies. Education also plays a crucial role in women getting subjugated in marriages across the valley, because an educated woman knows how to fight for her rights and emerge victorious against this evil practice. There are people in Kashmir who subjugate and materialize women on the basis of patriarchy and gender dominance, which is the root cause of this major issue. When a male baby is born into a family, he is brought up in such a way with such convictions that girls are inferior and you should stay away from them and girls can’t do what boys can, etc. This creates a concept of fragility in the mind of the boy, which sticks to his mind throughout his life. And the same thing refreshes when he becomes an adult and he starts to think in the same context that he has been fed by his family members.
Domestic violence can be obliterated from our society but it’s not at easy as might sound. We need gender equality with an understanding of both genders that both can achieve whatever they want in life.
Domestic violence is a problem that affects people of all ages, genders, and walks of life. It is estimated that one in four women will experience domestic violence in her lifetime. While domestic violence can happen to anyone, most victims are women.
Domestic violence is a pattern of behavior in which one partner uses fear and intimidation to control the other. It can include physical, emotional, financial, or sexual abuse. Domestic violence is not just a problem between two people; it affects the whole family.
Asper the protection of women from the domestic violence act 2005 says that any act, conduct, omission that harms or injures or has the potential to harm will be considered as domestic violence by the law. According to the National Family Health Survey report of 2015-16, 57.5% of women aged 15-19 in Jammu and Kashmir indicate that a husband was justified in hitting his wife for reasons like not respecting his in-laws (44%), arguing with him (38%), if the household and children were left neglected (37%) or if he suspected her of being unfaithful or cheating(25%). The latest report released in November 2021 shows the percentage of women has decreased to 47.6%.
The 2021 report showed that 11% of married women in J&K had experienced physical or sexual violence in their lives, with the husband being the typical perpetrator. The 2015-16 report and the 2005-06 report showed the percentage to be 12% and 13% respectively.
According to a research study by BMC Women’s Health analyzing the prevalence of domestic violence in India between 2001-2018, Jammu and Kashmir were one of five states showing a 160% increase in reported crime rate under ‘cruelty by husband and relatives. The report finds a 53% increase in this category over 18 years.
The crux of this whole scenario is that whether it’s Kashmir Or any others part of the world, a woman must be respected and privileged with all the rights she deserves. But the story doesn’t end here, as it is also important for them and their husbands to develop a mutual understanding that will not only help them progress as a couple but will surely shape them into good parents. it is on all of us to give women the safest space where she needs to speak up and be heard and teach the next generation and also learn from them. So everyone should learn ways to help them and give them full support, standby them so that every woman can raise their voice against violence.
So, we should raise sons not violators and we should raise daughters, not victims.
IRTIZA FAROOZ
DEPARTMENT OF FUNCTIONAL ENGLISH GOVT.COLLEGE FOR WOMEN M.A ROAD SRINAGAR
