The phrase violence against women is a technical term used to collectively refer to violent acts that

are primarily or exclusively committed against women. Violence against women is

basically a result of gender relations which assumes men to be superior to women. This
gender violence is considered normal in Indian society and it enjoys social sanction. The
term Violence includes physical aggression, such as blows of varying intensity, burns,
attempted hanging, sexual abuse and rape, psychological violence through insults,
humiliation, coercion, blackmail, economic or emotional threats etc. And ultimately the
result of these violence is death. Usually, these domestic aggression towards women and
girls, remain hidden due to various reasons. Men continuously take up stereotyped gender
roles of domination and control, whereas women think that it is her submission,
dependence and respect for authority. A female child grows up with a constant sense of
being weak and in need of protection, whether physical social or economic and this
helplessness has led to her exploitation which she undergoes at almost every stage of life.
The home, which is supposed to be the most secure place, is where women are most
exposed to violence. Gender violence happens in three contexts - the family, the
community and the state and at each point key social institutions fulfil the criteria in
maintaining the violence.

Dowry, given at the time of the daughter’s marriage, has influenced the status of women.
The daughter is considered to be a liability as her contribution to the family is temporary
upto the time she is married and sent to another family. It is the inability to meet the
dowry-related demands from the in-law’s family, that is a major cause for female
infanticide. The fear of sexual abuse of the girl child is also a cause for female
infanticide. Mothers, sometimes, kill their babies as an act of ‘mercy’ that they may be
saved from future excesses by husbands in the form of domestic violence. The occurrence
of female infanticide is widespread among the poorer and socially disadvantaged
community.

A girl child is twice vulnerable for being a child and a girl. Discrimination against them
begins even before their birth and continues as they grow. The phenomenon of child
marriage prevails all over the country. There are several social factors that have
contributed to the prevalence of child marriage. The girl is considered to be a burden of
the household and thereby she is married in an early age. Sometimes marriages are settled
even before the birth of the child. Parents believe that, it is easy for the child-bride to
adapt to a new environment as well as it is easy for others to mould the child to suit their
family environment and practices.

Legally child sexual abuse is interpreted as ‘rape’ of a child who is below 16 years of age
and rape as defined in Indian Penal Code is penetration without her consent. Child sexual
abuse, according to the report is any sexual contact between a child and an adult. The
contact covers a wide range of behaviours. It may or may not involve physical contact,
force or violence, but always involves coercion. It can also include fondling of the breast
or genitals, rape, oral sex, and/or sodomy. Child sexual abuse takes place in all cultures,
races and in every strata of the society. Sexual abuse is shrouded in shame and secrecy.
So, when a child is abused, there is total silence. The child knows that there is something
wrong going on, yet the child does not have the language or the words to express it. The
violence against the girl child acquires a new dimension in the sale of young girls below
the age of 18 for prostitution and trafficking. Poverty and deprivation, coupled with a low
status in society for girls is a primary factor for child prostitution. Young girls in India
were taken away from their parents in poor backward and drought affected districts of the
country for purposes of trafficking.

Social conventions play an important role in the continuance of the phenomenon of child
prostitution. These include child marriages, polygamy, dowry and social stigma against
single, unwed, divorced women and girls who have been sexually abuse. Children,
especially young girls, in these circumstances are especially vulnerable to the prostitution
racket. The prevalence of traditional and religious practices in some communities that
consist of dedicating girls to gods and goddesses serve to encourage child prostitution.
Among those involved in child prostitution, it is the street children who are most
vulnerable to it. The prevailing situation is aggravated by the lack of awareness of legal
rights, the exploited situation of the victims and the absence of a channel for seeking
redress.
The female body is both the objects of desire and of control. Domestic violence includes
not only inter-spousal violence, but also violence perpetrated by other family members.
There is a wide societal tolerance for wife-abuse, which is very often even considered
justifiable under certain circumstances. It is only when the torture becomes unbearable or
death appeared imminent that most women appeared willing to speak out. One of the
main cause why domestic violence prevails and continues is the lack of alternatives
among the victims. Women and children may be economically dependent on abusers.
Elderly people and children may feel too powerless to escape. Language or cultural
barriers may isolate victims from seeking help. Victims generally feel, it is better to
suffer in silence than to be separated from loved ones. They keep hoping for
improvement, but it is normally observed that, without help, violence gets worse. Victims
may also feel helpless, guilty or worthless. They may feel ashamed of the poor quality of
the relationship. Family members may be unaware of the help that is available from the
local agencies. They may also be unaware of their legal rights.

Dowry related violence against married women by the families they marry into is a
phenomenon that is on the increase in the country. Sexual harassment of working women
is primarily a problem faced by women, that men rarely face this problem and therefore it
should be considered a form of sex discrimination. Eve teasing is an act of terror that
violates a woman’s body, space and self-respect. It is one of the many ways through
which a woman is systematically made to feel inferior, weak and afraid. Eve teasing
denies a woman’s fundamental right to move freely and carry herself with dignity, solely
on the basis of her sex. Widows are often accused of being responsible for their
husband’s deaths, regarded as sexually threatening, and generally considered as
inauspicious by the society.

I do not believe that God have had sent the two entities (man and women) with having
any discrimination into his mind, it is only the human beings who have created such big
difference not only on the basis of biological features but the list goes on including the
factors like; color, gender, capability, behavior and so on. Sociologically, women have
always been said to be weak and over emotional personality. In a male dominated Indian
society, women always been kept under the walls and tasks like child bearing, cooking
and looking after the homes have been listed the best ever task for them. Whether it is
working place or her house, this men dominated society always tries to rule over the
women. There are so many families in India where role of women is limited to the
kitchen. The husband takes all the important decision in the family and they do not even
ask for their wife’s opinion. He thinks that whatever decision they will take, they cannot
go wrong. However, he never thinks that he is having a life partner who has the right to
participate in the important events of the family.

India is a male-dominated society and here women have always been a part of harassment
and domination. Still after all the hurdles in their way, they have come up with a lighting
and bright power in today’s scenario. Women are the powerful entities and they are
always being a brave fighter in the battle of life. Women have proved that they are no
longer at loss in any of the fields and they are versatile.