END VIOLENCE AGAINST WOMEN
The UN called for November 25 to be observed as an International Day for the “Elimination of Violence Against Women” and received widespread media coverage after UN secretary-general Antonio Guterres delivered a disheartening fact sheet revealing that, globally, every 11 minutes, a woman or girl is killed by an intimate partner or family member. He asserts that violence against women and girls is the most widespread violation of human rights in the world. Domestic violence is an unreported crime against women that has claimed more lives over time than any other type of violence. According to data broken down by country that is available on the UN website, the so-called developed nations, which are the heartland of capitalism, have the worst performance. The situation is also critical in India. The National Crime Bureau 2021 estimates that 86 women are raped on average each day, with complaints being registered. A total of 6,589 dowry deaths are reported in a single year, with 49 crimes against women being perpetrated every hour and an average of 18 women dying as a result of domestic violence related to dowries. According to the National Family Health Survey-5, one-third of all surveyed women reported having experienced either domestic or sexual violence. Any nation should be ashamed after reading these figures. Violence against women has actually grown widespread in our societal institutions, contrary to some people’s descriptions that it is a pandemic. The deadliest forms of casteist violence are perpetrated against Dalit women. One of the reasons is that a casteist and patriarchal system grants impunity to those who commit acts of violence, which accounts for the fact that 75% of those who commit violence against women go unpunished. The police’s biased investigations, the courts’ protracted hearings, and social pressures on victims of violence to make deals all contribute to the low conviction rate. The propagation of the idea that the perfect woman is one who accepts violence from her husband or his family as part of her excellent behaviour has given cultures that normalize domestic violence new life under the current scenario.
This mentality is reflected in the administration’s failure to recognize marital rape as a crime on the grounds that it would upset the family. The caste system of old Indian culture is a significant obstacle to defending women’s equality and democratizing family structures. Based on a social and cultural system that encourages the subordinate status of women in order to exploit their cheap labour, capitalism and its social structures have fostered and assisted patriarchal conceptions and practices in spreading throughout the world. More than others, women experience prejudice and violence across the capitalist society because of this essential basis. Some groups throughout India openly advocate caste systems which reinforces the nation’s prevalent misogyny and patriarchal attitudes and beliefs. Further, the subordination of women is enforced as a result, which strengthens the forces in minority communities. A renewed sense of enthusiasm is required in the fight to protect the constitutionally given rights of women and to uphold the laws against violence against them. This needs to play a significant role in the ongoing strategy of the democratic forces. Further, local communities and health services could play a significant role in raising public awareness and putting an end to this violence. It is feasible to reduce society’s tolerance for violence against women by having an open dialogue about this subject.
