4. Women’s Issues: A Manifestation

There are different forms of violence on women, which act as threats to women’s independent

identity and dignity. Some forms of violence are:

1) Female foeticide & infanticide- According to a survey by British medical journal, Lancet, nearly 10 million female abortions have taken place in India in the last 20 years, which is rampant amongst the educated Indian middle class as well.

There are organizations like Swanchetan, which are working towards educating and bringing awareness in people against the ghastly act.

2) Rape, sexual harassment & abuse- It acts as a deterrent to women’s freedom and perpetuates the notion that women are the weaker sex.

The recent Dec. 16 Delhi Gang rape case, shook the entire country and led to protests all across the country, setting up of Justice Verma panel & helped in the fast track judgment of the case. However rampant cases of rape of Dalit women, acid attacks and eve teasing go unnoticed.

3) Domestic violence and dowry deaths- Violence on women in the family were considered family problems and were never acknowledged as “crimes against women” until recently. It is prevalent in all classes of society.

4) Prostitution- A large number of women destitute or victims of rape who are disowned by family fall prey to prostitution forcibly. There are no governmental programs to alleviate the problem of prostitution.

5) Objectification of women- Indecent Representation of Women (Prohibition) Act, 1986 prohibits indecent representation of women through advertisements or in publications, writings, paintings etc. However, a whole lot of indecent representation of women is done through literature, media, paintings etc. upholding the “right to freedom of expression”.