Violence against Women is largely prevailing because of the societal mechanism combined with patriarchal values by which women are forced into a subordinate position.
Violence is defined as a physical act of aggression of one individual or group against another or others. Violence results in or is likely to result in physical, sexual, psychological harm or suffering. This also includes the threat of such act, coercion or arbitrary deprivation of liberty in public or private life and violation of human rights of women in situation of armed conflicts. While the basic reason for violence against women is their lower status in a male dominated society educationally, economically, politically and socially, there are other factors too. The increasing criminalisation of society, media images of violence, poor enforcement of legal provision, unabashed, and rising incidents of alcoholism and addiction alongwith erosion of traditional values have all added to it. Violence against women is also getting manifested in the form of Rape, sexual abuse, sexual harassment at workplace, dowry death, suicide, Female Foeticide and Female Infanticide, harassment by NRIs to their wives, Social Violence against Widows and Psychological and Physical Violence by Alcoholic / Addict Husband to their Wives.
VIOLENCE IN THE LIFE CYCLE OF WOMEN
1. Foetal Stage Sex Selection Female Foeticide Female Infanticide
2. Infancy Infanticide Malnutrition Negligence or Gender Biasness
3. Childhood Neglect due to absence of medical care and education Sexual abuse Physical Violence Child Labour Negligence or Gender Biasness
4. Adolescence and Adulthood Early Marriage Early Pregnancy Sexual Violence Domestic Violence Dowry Harassment Harassment due to infertility / failure to produce sons Desertion Witch hunt Labour
5. Older Women and Widows Desertion Neglect-Emotional, Financial, Social and Physical