DOMESTIC VIOLENCE IN INDIA - A CASE STUDY

Domestic violence against women is a serious problem in India, reflecting deeply embedded structural relations of gender inequality and oppression of women, fostered by family laws that make men the head of the family and women minors and dependents. Research studies confirm the prevalence of physical violence in all parts of the globe with estimates of domestic violence faced by women varying from 20-50 ℅ from country to country. It is perhaps the most pervasive manifestation of violence targeted towards women and yet, until very recently it was shrouded in what can be called a ‘culture of silence’ rarely considered as an issue for social concern since the domain within which such violence takes place is perceived as private and the personal-outside the public scrutiny. It is very difficult to explain violence against women in any one analytical framework because the factors contributing to it are interlinked and are culturally specific. Yet, it is generally agreed upon that domestic violence in one way or the other, manifests historically embedded unequal power relations. Continuous underestimation and social negotiation makes women internalize their subordination as ordained, whereas men's superiority is seen as inherent.