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| Related Articles: A True Dream Marriage http://www.sikhnet.com/Sikhnet/discussion.nsf/3d8d6eacce83bad8872564280070c2b3/ad36ac3de8026cc88725696c004d8d7b!OpenDocument Women In Indian Cinema http://www.sikhnet.com/Sikhnet/discussion.nsf/3d8d6eacce83bad8872564280070c2b3/e45a53bc938947518725696b004d2fef!OpenDocument When Ties Break http://www.sikhnet.com/Sikhnet/discussion.nsf/3d8d6eacce83bad8872564280070c2b3/897e1b26c7ee13588725696a00618647!OpenDocument Running The Show Her Way http://www.sikhnet.com/Sikhnet/discussion.nsf/3d8d6eacce83bad8872564280070c2b3/97d636aa549c6c548725691600443f9e!OpenDocument&Highlight=0 Woman: India's Endangered Species http://www.sikhnet.com/Sikhnet/discussion.nsf/3d8d6eacce83bad8872564280070c2b3/a00c660743f920868725688200369fae!OpenDocument&Highlight=0 Womens' Place http://www.sikhnet.com/Sikhnet/discussion.nsf/3d8d6eacce83bad8872564280070c2b3/BBB1786A06870877872566A5000F6DA6?OpenDocument An Unequal Alliance http://www.sikhnet.com/Sikhnet/discussion.nsf/3d8d6eacce83bad8872564280070c2b3/5119cf27daf49e038725691e005302d8!OpenDocument&Highlight=0 ******************************************************************************* Suppressed In The Four Walls Priya Nambiar Violence is an expression of the gender dynamics of power within a relationship. Violence against women in the marital home is a pervasive and serious epidemic that cuts across class and regions in India. It is reported that 40 per cent of all violence experienced by women is at the hands of their husbands. Everyday, at least one report appears in the newspapers about husbands who have burned or killed their wives, for example, Tandoor murder case in New Delhi, Parvati Shah murder case in Pondicherry (Hang on, surely that?s a much longer list). These cases show that it is for a variety of reasons, not necessarily always dowry related, as it is assumed. The outburst of violence against women is frequently attributed to proximate causes such as 'mistakes' in running the household. The catalysts most often include not preparing meals on time, not cooking meals properly, not looking after children properly, not respecting in-laws and economic stress. Sexual control is another area of conflict faced by women. Apart from these, violence is explored with regard to the dissatisfaction of dowry. Here women are subjected to various types of ill treatment like beating, sending back to the natal home, treating like a slave. Majority of women experience continued abuse, beatings, harassment, threats, forced sex and so on in India. Male violence against women is a worldwide phenomenon. Fear of violence is a cause of women?s lack of participation in activities beyond home, as well as inside it. Within the home, women may be subjected to physical and sexual abuse as punishment or as culturally justified assaults. These acts shape their attitude to life, and their expectations of themselves. There is a historical tradition condoning violence within the family. Domestic violence is perceived to be the problem of the 'other', be it low-income families, uneducated families, or a specific ethnic or regional group. Violence within the home is fundamentally viewed as being a private matter between family members, not something that requires community intervention or response. Women of higher socio-economic status and education tend to under-report violence as it is seen as a source of shame to themselves and to family honor. Transforming these perceptions is critical if appropriate and meaningful responses are to be implemented to reduce the suffering endured silently by women with in the four walls of her home. Violence affects not only the individual women, but also the very survival of the household. This physical violence results in health problems, as does the threat of such violence. Through suffering violations of their physical and mental autonomy, women are deprived of basic human rights. Improving access to economic resources and education are important preconditions for women to have greater options in negotiating conflict within marriage. It is high time we broke the norms of acceptability of violence on women. Domestic violence against women must be perceived as a global problem rather than a private issue imbedded within a family, custom and culture, which can be easily ignored. It must receive appropriate attention from the international community as an issue affecting women's health and therefore also affecting their ability to participate fully in local, national and international development strategies. It is not only women's issue, but also a problem impacting the achievement of national and international development goals. Priya Nambiar is an inhouse editor with www.sawaal.com. Email: [email protected] |
 | Opinion - ..........Suppr... (Preet Mohan S Ahluwalia - 5.Oct.00) |
| . . Woman 2 Daughters Commit ... (Preet Mohan S Ahluwalia - 5.Oct.00) |
