Exploring Domestic Violence in India: A Comprehensive Analysis of Marital Violence and Women's Perspectives

Manali Swargiary , international Institute for Population Sciences
Dr. Hemkhothang Lhungdim, International Institute for Population sciences

Introduction: Violence against women has become a global epidemic, wreaking havoc on the physical, psychological, sexual, and economic lives of women. Objectives: This study focuses on understanding the reality of the type of violence faced by married women in their day-to-day lives in India and their perception of domestic violence (DV). Data and Methodology: National Family Health Survey data of India, 5th round (2019 – 2020), accounted for possible DV types and situations justifying wife beating by married women in India. Results: In India, the perception of married women on DV in certain situations shows that almost 48% of women agree on wife beating, mainly when women disrespect their husbands (30.5%) and neglect the children (25.7%). Emotional and less severe physical violence is mostly experienced by married women, with the southern region of India experiencing high emotional violence. The relation between the perception of women on wife beating and experiencing types of DV shows a negative correlation with a significant difference (approx. 20%) between women agreeing on domestic violence and experiencing it. Conclusion: Programmes and policymakers must recognize that one’s perception of domestic abuse and vulnerability to DV are related. Awareness of human rights while addressing socio-cultural norms on the justification of violence in marriage contributes to the status of women.

See extended abstract

 Presented in Session 102. The Impact of Violence on Health, Wellbeing and Morbidity