A Peer-Reviewed International Journal of
Humanities & Social Science
=
ISSN: 2278-5=
264 (Online) 2321=
-=
93=
19 (Print)
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Impact Factor: 6.=
28 (Index Copernicus
International)
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Volume=
-IV,
Issue-II, October
2015, Page No. 29-39
Published by Dept.
of Bengali, Karimganj College, Karimganj,
Assam, India<=
span
style=3D'mso-bidi-font-size:11.0pt;font-family:"Cambria","serif";mso-fareas=
t-font-family:
"Times New Roman";mso-bidi-font-family:Cambria'>
=
Website: http://www.thecho.in
Anup Karma=
kar
Asst.
Professor, Department of Commerce, Barnagar College, Sorbhog, India
Abstract
Women have been the vulnerable section of the so=
ciety
and constitute a sizeable segment of the population of India. It comprises
nearly half of the national population of India. But since civilization of =
our society
women have always been treated differently, whereas men have claimed all ri=
ghts
they have denied them to women. They have been vulnerable to violence and
exploitation such as harassment, taunts, abuses, battering, molestation, ra=
pe,
dowry deaths, sati, mental and physical torture. In many countries, women a=
re
dehumanized, forcibly married, sold off and subject to all kinds of
humiliation.
Domestic violence is an extre=
me
manifestation of the low social value placed on women and also an extreme f=
orm
of violation of women’s human rights. Women lack of understanding of rights=
and
therefore did not recognize violence expect when severe. Also there knowled=
ge
about law was very limited. Besides these, women received threats from their
husbands if they reported violence to the collective.
The present paper has been
prepared with a view to discuss the various issues related to the domestic
violence against Women. This study tries to find out the various causes, im=
pact
and measures of domestic violence against women of Gobardhana Development B=
lock
of Barpeta District of Assam.
K=
ey Wo=
rds: Women,
Domestic Violence, Causes, Barpeta District, Assam etc.
Introduction
Any English-language dictiona=
ry
defines “violence” as the exercise or an instance of physical force, usually
causing or intended to cause injury or destruction. What is notable in this
definition is that the emphasis is put on physical force aiming to inflict
visible damage, such as injuries or destruction, and nothing is said about =
the
types of violence that are not so visible, yet extremely dangerous, such as
emotional or psychological violence. Presumably, the dictionary definition
reflects the most common perception of violence and latently refers to the =
fact
that people often don’t see or perceive violence until it becomes visible.
Therefore, often it is not only the witnesses of violence who do not unders=
tand
it is happening in front of their eyes in fact, those experiencing the viol=
ence
themselves do not realize they are victims. Consequently, neither society n=
or
the victims of violence take the necessary steps to combat it.
Violence of any nature or for=
m is
inhuman. As domestic violence undermines the value of a woman as an individ=
ual,
it is a serious human right violation. Domestic violence most of the times =
is
equated to physical abuse like beating, hurling of objects or abusing. Thou=
gh
it is most common and most visible variety of domestic violence, domestic
violence is much more than just that. Other forms of it like psychological =
and
sexual violence which are generally hidden from the social purview have equ=
al
or more implications. These violence need to be given high priority as they
deeply impact a women's psyche and linger on for a longer period of time th=
an
most physical scars and pain. If the inflictor of violence is unaware about=
the
serious implication associated with his action, there is a higher chance th=
at
he may resort to physical violence. It has also been observed that among
educated couples incidence of physical violence is comparatively low but, t=
hey
tend to resort to psychological and sexual violence to overcome their
frustrations and limitations.
Domestic violence has gradual=
ly
emerged as a global problem. It is present in all countries irrespective of=
the
nation's social, economic and political status. Policy makers and social sc=
ientists
worldwide have started taking serious note of it and therefore, various
legislations and acts are being formulated to counter domestic violence.
Surveys have frequently conveyed that many women who undergo this suffering
don't bring it to the notice of the state agencies like police or women
commissions mainly because of fear, ignorance of law and lack of confidence=
in
these agencies. Therefore, most of the cases related to domestic violence go
unreported.
Review of Literature
In =
many
cases after marriage extreme torture of women by their husbands or by in-la=
ws
takes place which is termed as domestic violence. Her marital home becomes a
den of torture and fear. Her life partner and family members become the
perpetrators of all forms of violence against her. There are a number of
studies narrating the domestic violence and its causes and impacts.
Mis=
hra
(2002) explains that violence against women in the family occurs in develop=
ed
and developing countries alike. It has long been considered a private matte=
r by
bystanders including neighbours, the community and government. But such pri=
vate
matters, now, have a tendency to become public tragedies.
Vee=
r (2005)
states that living in a society which is largely patriarchal though centred
around the wife, the family has its share of marital violence in which the
woman bears the brunt in spite of being the pillar of the home. To maintain=
his
dominant position in the home, a man inflicts some or other kind of violenc=
e on
woman and harasses her throughout her life. A common name given to domestic
violence is silent crime.
Dev=
i (2005)
states that domestic violence against women is a global phenomenon. The
domestic violence may take the form of wife battering, demand for more dowr=
y,
divorce, bride burning, psychological torture, wordy quarrels, uncared and =
so
on. The increased economic insecurity, unemployment, poverty, alcoholism, l=
ack
of mutually satisfying relationship and lack of a sense of belonging are the
reasons for the increased domestic violence.
Dev=
i and
Prema (2006) explain that the main cause of domestic violence against women=
are
unequal power relations, gender discrimination, patriarchy, economic depend=
ence
of women, dowry, low moral values, negative portrayal of women’s images in
media, no participation in decision-making, gender stereotypes and a negati=
ve
mindset. There are various manifestations of violence, which includes beati=
ng,
mental torture, forced pregnancy, female infanticide, rape, denial of basic
necessities and battering. The worst form of violence is dowry murder.
Lut=
hra
(2007) asserts that the law on domestic violence seems more effective. After
the recently enacted Domestic Violence Act 2005 in Delhi alone on an averag=
e,
137 cases under 304-B IPC (deaths due to dowry) and 1,728 cases under 406 I=
PC
& 498-A IPC (demand of dowry and violence for dowry) are registered in
2006. The new law can make a difference, if used effectively.
Research
Methodology
Area
of the Study
The present paper has been
prepared with a view to discuss the various issues related to the domestic
violence against Women. This study tries to find out the various causes, im=
pact
and measures of domestic violence against women of Gobardhana Development B=
lock
of Barpeta District of Assam. The Barpeta district comprises eleven develop=
ment
block. Viz., Mandia Development Block, Ruposhi Development Block, Gumafulba=
ri
Development Block, Gobardhana Development Block, Bajali Development Block,
Barpeta Development Block, Bhawanipur Development Block, Chakchaka Developm=
ent
Block, Chenga Development Block, Paka Betbari Development Block and Sarukhe=
tri
Development Block. The data were collected from five villages viz; Khairaba=
ri,
Nechuka, Halapakuri, Barbarijhar, and Bahbari of Gobardhana Development Blo=
ck
of Barpeta District.
Objective of the Study
Following are the objectives of the st=
udy:
To study the various issues relating=
to the
domestic violence against Women.
v
To find out the various causes, impa=
ct
and measures of domestic violence against women.
Sample
Design
The samples for the study are
taken from the Gobardhana Development Block area. A total of 200 samples ha=
ve
been collected randomly from 5 villages of Gobardhana Development Block. Ou=
t of
the 200 samples 40 each have collected from Khairabari, Nechuka, Halapakuri,
Barbarijhar, and Bahbari villages respectively. The targeted groups for the=
study
were the Married Women of these areas.
Sources of Data
The data was collected from b= oth primary and secondary sources of data. The primary data was collected throu= gh well-structured questionnaire and schedule. The secondary data are collected from newspaper= s, books, magazines, seminar papers, journals and websites etc. The collected = data are analyzed by classifying and tabulating. The percentage tool is used to examine the data collected through field survey.<= o:p>
Limitations of the Study
E=
very
research study has some limitation. Efforts are however be made to minimize
them to make study more effective. The scope and limitation of the study ar=
e-
v
The study is limited to five village=
s (Khairabari,
Nechuka, Halapakuri, Barbarijhar, and Bahbari) of Gobardhana Development Bl=
ock
of Barpeta District of Assam.
v
The period of the study was also lim=
ited
from January 2015 to July 2015.
v
Resources constraints are also a
limitation for the study.
Data Analysis=
and
Discussion
Demographic P=
rofile
of Women
T=
he demographic
profiles of the interviewed women are presented below:
|
AGE |
||
|
Age |
Frequency |
Percentage |
|
Below 18 |
76 |
38% |
|
18 – 25 |
51 |
25.50% |
|
25 – 35 |
43 |
21.50% |
|
35 – 45 |
19 |
9.50% |
|
45 & above |
11 |
5.50% |
|
Total |
200 |
100% |
|
MARITAL
STATUS |
||
|
Status |
Frequency |
Percentage |
|
Single |
-- |
-- |
|
Married |
178 |
89% |
|
Divorced |
5 |
2.50% |
|
Widowed |
17 |
8.50% |
|
Total |
200 |
100% |
|
EDUCATION |
||
|
Status |
Frequency |
Percentage |
|
Illiterate |
109 |
54.50% |
|
Primary |
61 |
30.50% |
|
Secondary |
23 |
11.50% |
|
Graduate |
7 |
3.50% |
|
Total |
200 |
100% |
|
EMPLOYMENT
STATUS |
||
|
Status |
Status |
Status |
|
Housewife |
148 |
74% |
|
Service |
3 |
1.50% |
|
Self employed |
49 |
24.50% |
|
Total |
200 |
100% |
Sources: Field Survey
In the above table, it clearly
shows that, the maximum respondents are from the age group of below 18 and =
18-25.
38% respondents are from the age
group of below 18; 25.50% respo=
ndents
are from the age group of 18-25=
; 21.50% respondents are from the age
group of 25-35; 9.50% respondents are from the age group of 35-45 and 5.50% re=
spondents
are from the age group of 45 & above. The maximum respondents are young=
because
they belong to the rural areas of Barpeta district and most of the people f=
rom these
areas get married at their early age.
In the above analysis, it sho=
ws
that, the maximum respondents are married i.e; 89%, only 8.50% and=
2.50% were widowed and divorced
respectively. There was no respondent who was single, as the targeted group=
s were
mainly married women.
As the study was conducted in
rural area, so, the respondents were educationally backward. The maximum
respondents i.e; 54.50% were
illiterate and only 3.50% were
graduate. There were 30.50% res=
pondents
who had only primary level of education and only 11.50% had secondary level of education.
Most of the respondents were
housewife, as the education level of the respondents were very low only 1.50% were in service and 24.50% respondents were self-emplo=
yed. They
are engaged in various types of professional works such as sewing, running
small grocery shop, pickle making business, etc.
Domestic Viol= ence Faced by the Women<= o:p>
Sou=
rces:
Field Survey
In this study, the primary da=
ta
was collected through well-structured questionnaire and schedule. With the =
help
of questionnaire and schedule 200 women have been interviewed, out of 200 w=
omen
62.50% i. e; 125 women were victim of domestic violence and these 125 women=
has
been analyzed to understand the position of women who face the domestic
violence.
Causes of Vio=
lence
Causes of violence from women=
’s
perspective Women who have reported physical violence from their husband or
partner were asked about the causes of domestic violence in society as a wh=
ole.
The most common cause they cited was “Dowry” (54.40%) and the second most common reason is “he is drunk” (44.80%). The other problems liste=
d by
the abused women are as follows – “money problem” (28.80%), “he is unemployed” (20.80%),
“no particular reason” (18.40%)=
, “no
food at home” (16.80%), “she is
disobedient” (15.20%) and “she =
refuses
sex” (12.80%). The following
responses received less than 10% each: difficulties at his work, illness, j=
ealousy,
don’t love each other. The detailed results are presented below in diagram:=
S=
haring
the Violence Experienced
In =
the
survey women were asked with whom they share their experiences of violence =
from
their social network, and close and broad social institutions. Women most
frequently choose their close social network - parents (48%), friends (31.2%)<=
/i>,
sister or brother (22.4%), husb=
and’s
family (15.2%) to speak about
domestic violence. The percentage of women who have shared their experience=
with
no-one is 28%. This means almos=
t one
third of women have to deal with the problem alone as they hide the violence
from everyone. There is very low percentage of those who seek help and share
their experience outside of close social networks and the rate of reporting
violence to official institutions follows– police (2.4%), doctor/Health worker (1.6%),
women’s NGO (0.8%). The detailed
results are presented below in diagram:
Sources: Field Survey
Fro=
m the
data it is obvious that official institutions are not the place where women
seek support. They share their violent experiences with their close social
network of loved ones and are more likely to tell their friends, parents and
blood relatives than relatives from their husband’s side. These results
indicate the dimension of traditional society that keeps the secrets within=
a
family, as well as the insecurity of women in relation to the husband’s fam=
ily
(only 15.2% of women victims of
physical violence share this with husband’s family).
F=
ighting
Back the Violence
The=
study
showed that few women fight back when they are subject to domestic violence=
. 64.8% of women who have experienced
physical abuse say they have never fought back; 16.8% said that they had done it at once; 10.4% fought back several times and only 8% frequently fight back due to physical violence. The detailed
results are presented below in diagram:
Sources: Field Survey
L=
eaving
Home Due to Violence
Mo=
st of
the women don’t leave home even after facing the domestic violence from her
partner. Only 45.60% i.e; 57 wo=
men
leave home due to physical violence, and other 54.40% i.e; 68 women want to live at their husbands home and fi=
ght
back to normalize the situation. The detailed results are presented below in
diagram:
Sources: Field Survey
R=
easons
for Leaving Home Due to Violence
The=
re were
some women who frequently leave home due to physical violence, the diagram
below shows the data on percentage distribution of number of times women le=
ave
their homes due to partners’ violent behaviour. The detailed results are
presented below in diagram:
Sources: Field Survey
The
result clearly shows that women who have faced physical violence most commo=
nly
have left their house 2-5 times. The most commonly cited reasons for women
leaving home after domestic violence were “could not take it anymore” (47.36%) and severe injures (15.78%). 9% said they left home because their partner threatened to kill
them; 10.52% because of a threa=
t to
hit children and 5.26% said the=
y left
home because they were thrown out. The result shows that women leave home o=
nly
in extreme cases.
R=
easons
for Returning
The=
most
commonly reported reasons are – “don’t want to leave children” (36.8%); for the sake of family and
children (32%); he asked her to
return (27.2%); love him (16.8%); and forgive him (16%); family asked to return (12.8%); fear of being left alone =
(12%); and the absence of place to=
go (15.2%).
Sources: Field Survey
Aft=
er
facing violence, physical torture the women still want to return back to th=
eir
husband’s home, 54.40% of these=
women
do not want leave home and preserve the family and remain the victims of
domestic violence. Among them who leave th=
eir
husband’s home due to the violence they also return back despite of the
husband’s behavior. We frequently come across some factors as family and
children, reasons connected with the spouse; in addition we face the reason=
s of
fear of being left alone and the absence of place to go.
Findings
By
analyzing the data collected from field survey, the following key points ha=
ve
been extracted:
=
v&nb=
sp; In most of the cases the reason behind the
violence are dowry system, husbands are addicted to alcohol followed by oth=
er
reasons such as money problem, jealousy, unemployment, etc.
v=
F=
rom
the data it is observed that official institutions are not the place where
women seek support. They don’t share the matter with police, health worker =
and
NGOs. They share their violent experiences with their close social network =
of
loved ones and are more likely to tell their friends, parents and blood
relatives than relatives from their husband’s side.
v=
<=
span
style=3D'mso-spacerun:yes'> Most of the women who face domestic viol=
ence do
not fight back against the violence, as they think that the husband has the
right to beat his wife.
v=
<=
span
style=3D'mso-spacerun:yes'> Most of the women don’t leave home even =
after
facing domestic violence from her partner. Because the society set their mi=
nd
to believe that “dulhan ki doli uthti hai uski maike se or arthi uthti hai uski sas=
ural
se”.
=
v&nb=
sp; The reason behind leaving home are, they =
are
frustrated of domestic violence and can’t take the violence any more. Somet=
imes
they are badly injured.
Suggestions
<=
span
style=3D'mso-spacerun:yes'> In Assam there is no common
platform where problems of women, especially those of violence- domestic
violence as well as ethnic violence are addressed. So, in view of the above
problems, it is necessary to adopt some measures to mitigate problems faced=
by
women. Following suggestion have been made for controlling the domestic
violence against of women of Gobardhana Development Block of Barpeta distri=
ct
of Assam:
v
There is a need to involve the
bureaucracy in the sensitization process and to facilitate political will to
look at the problem of violence.
v
Women’s rights based agendas have to=
be integrated
in the political process.
v
Strategies have to be developed to r=
aise
awareness of the extent and impact of violence perpetrated against women.
v
Information broadcasting on legal
safeguards, rights, support services, health and accommodation.
v
Women’s groups should also inform ot=
her
women about the available support services in the area and towns.
v
Education of the youth is important.
This is the time to develop healthy and respectful relationships.
v
Schools can work with local communit=
ies
to deliver anti-violence education.
v
There is a need for societal
responsibility, especially male responsibility, to alleviate violence again=
st
women.
C=
onclusion
It =
is
clear from the above discussion that the main factors perpetuating domestic
violence at Barpeta district are traditional views and lack of awareness am=
ong
the population. The respondents’ ideas confirm that these factors are the o=
nes
that are responsible for women’s inactivity or passive tolerance of domestic
violence at Barpeta district. Thus, if one asks a question about what women
usually do against gender-based violence, the most probable answer would be=
in
the majority of cases they do nothing but put up with it.
The
in-depth interviews and discussions with women of the different villages of
Barpeta district that in case of gender-based domestic violence they remain
mostly passive, holding traditional views based on which the male-female
division is viewed in the light of a dominant-subordinate dichotomy. Theref=
ore,
it is not surprising that they consider their husbands as their “first and =
not
second halves,” who have the right to dictate to their wives what to do,
including where to go or what to wear, and who can occasionally physically
mistreat their wives. In addition, divorce is perceived as a “shameful” or =
even
“disastrous” event and the female respondents themselves state that a woman
should not think of divorce unless the violence against her becomes
intolerable. Moreover, even a victim living in a shelter who is abused by h=
er
husband both verbally and physically on a daily basis for six years stated =
that
if her husband had not beaten her so much, they would be living together to
this day.
R=
eferences
1.
Daga, A S., S. Jejeebh=
oy
and S. Rajgopal (1999). Domestic
Violence against Women: An Investigation of Hospital Causality Records, Mum=
bai.
Journal of Family Welfare, 45 (1):
1-11.
2.
Domestic Violence Against women in
India: Summary- Papers presented at the Natinal Seminar on Domestic Violence
Against Women and Role of Protection of Women from Domestic Violence Act, 2=
006,
held at Lucknow during 19-20 July 2008, Madhav Books (2009)
3.
Support Services to Counter Violence
Against Women in Assam. A Resource Directory, 2002. Published by North East
Network. Supported by UNIFEM
4.
Waghamode R.H, Desai Bhavana, Kalyan
J.L, (2013) Domestic Viole=
nce
against Women: An Analysis, International Research Journal of Social Sciences, 2(1), 34-37
5.
Walter Fernandes & Sanjay Barbor=
a,
Ed. Changing Womens Status in India: Focus on the North East. North East So=
cial
Research Centre, Guwahati, Assam, 2002.
=
=
Anup Karmakar