Rising violence against women: Causes & Concerns

The state of Jammu and Kashmir accounts for about 50 % of the women population and contributes to 75% of the development of the state. They are working shoulder to shoulder with the men in all sectors. Their contribution in agriculture, horticulture, small-scale industries, factories, household chores etc. are visible to everyone and everywhere in the society. Their laudable roles, which cannot be substituted, by men or machines have been altogether neglected by modern men. A woman, who has been a progenitor of the human race and foundation stone of her family in particular, and society in general is facing immense violence by the hands of modern materialistic men in contemporary time. Although, India has made significant progress in all fields but violence against women still exists in all states and the Kashmir valley is not at the back but at the forefront regarding violence incidents against women. Although, awareness programmes for elimination of violence against women are being conducted in every nook and corner of the state and many stringent laws have been enacted against women violence but the graph of cruelty and violence against women still have surged very high in the Muslim dominated Kashmir valley. Violence against women is defined as any act of gender based violence that results in, or is likely to result in, physical, sexual or mental harm or suffering to women and girls. According to NCRB report, there has been sharp increase in violence against women in the form of dowry deaths, acts of sexual harassment, torture, rapes, and domestic violence in the state of Jammu and Kashmir. Amongst the all districts of Kashmir division, Srinagar district has the highest rate of violence against women. However, in Jammu division, Jammu district has highest rate of violence against women. Once upon a time, the Kashmir valley was more enlightened as women were safe and lived with dignity and grace. The valley was free from all forms of violence against women. Now it has become a very hotbed of violence incidents against women. There hardly passes a day in the Kashmir valley when people do not listen to the sad news of violence against women. The social media platforms like Facebook, whatsapp, twitters etc. are always abuzz with violence related news of our mothers, sisters and daughters like women beaten by in-laws, women end her life by strangulation or by consuming poisonous substances or by jumping into the water body etc. Disturbing and disheartening incidents of violence against women send shivers down the spine among conscious citizens. The recent murders and suicides of young women at Bemina Srinagar and Drabgam Pulwama rattle the conscience of civilised people. The present period is more harsh, tough and full of ignorance compared to the ignorance period of the Arab when pagans used to bury their female children alive. Although the holy Quran puts an end to this heinous crime, today more crimes and violence that are heinous against women and girls are being committed by named Muslims compared to the ignorant men of ignorance period of the Arab. Violence against women continues throughout their life cycle (pre-birth to senescence) like Sex selective abortion (pre-birth), female infanticide (infancy), trafficking (childhood), child marriage (adolescence), Domestic violence (adulthood), and abuse of widows (senescence). For the past one decade, the Kashmir valley has been witnessing many forms of violence against women like Rape, abduction, acid attacks, prenatal sex selection, trafficking, female foeticide, pornography, forced prostitution, sexual harassment, eve teasing, stabbing, mental torture, forced and child marriage, dowry related violence. Such violence against women have become biggest challenges for the government authorities’, social activists and NGOS to tackle. Due to impact of globalisation and westernisation, materialistic thoughts of modern men have increased, their lust and greed for money and materials have strengthened, and accordingly barbaric acts of inexplicable violence against women by so-called modern men have increased. Heinous acts of violence against women in Kashmir valley have become the order of the day. It is a matter of concern that there has been unprecedented rise of grave violence against women in the Kashmir valley and the women particularly age group 18-49 fell victim of violence. Violence against women has affected their physical, mental and social well-being. Women are very sensitive and violence in any form like harassment, intimidation, physical and verbal abuse, silent torture, results depression, anxiety and other problems, which affect their psychological well-being and prevent them to live normal lives. Violence against women in most cases results serious injuries and death of women. Any form of violence is not only intolerable but also highly condemnable. Violence against women in the Kashmir valley is touching new heights and breaking all records. Violence against women is also high due to unawareness of women about their rights and protection laws. Most women in a society fail to lodge a complaint or call a helpline number for reporting a case of violence. A few percentage of women report their crimes and violence but unfortunately, they later have to face many hurdles like financial problems, lack of fast track courts for speedy redress of their grievances’ and with the result, they give up or withdraw the case. According to one report, about 86% women who experience violence never seek help and 77% of the victims do not even mention the incidents to anyone and among the 14.3% of victims who seek help, only 7% reach out to relevant authorities’ like police, doctors, lawyers or social service organisations.
High level of Poverty, rising unemployment, soaring drug abuse, weak enforcement and discriminatory laws, gender discrimination in institutions etc. are other contributing factors making women vulnerable to violence. Rigid Patriarchal gender norms have also added to the woes of women. Prior to abrogation of article 370, The National Commission for Women receives thousands of complaints of violence against women and to some extent, the commission was disposing the most grievances and worked for promoting and securing welfare and empowerment of women. but due to abrogation of article 370, the abolition of the National Commission for Women in Jammu and Kashmir results in thousands of grievances pending and undisposed. Its abolition provided wings to the culprits of violence against women and added marginalisation of women. The cybercrime, dowry harassment, gender discrimination, outraging modesty of women, stalking, acid attack, attempt to rape and scores of crimes have been further strengthened and increased. It is the fact that such violence can never be sanctioned by religion. Most religious speakers generally deliver speeches in Masjids either against each other or to lure people towards them just for their material purpose. They fail deliver on important topics and issues however, there are rare percentage of religious speakers who deliver nice speeches particularly on rising social issues and evils prevailing in a society like rising violence against women, soaring drug abuse, pollution of water bodies, plundering of green gold etc. Education of women is the most powerful instrument and weapon that can empower women in a society and brings their attitudinal change. Empowered women with education can assert and claim their rights, choices and opportunities. Conducting workshops, seminars, debates and discussions among society on women importance and delivering on moral and ethical values will play pivotal role in reduction of violence against women. A society where laws are strict and punishments are stringent, crime rate is very low. Enactment and enforcement of stringent laws against criminals’ will reduce violence against women. Counselling of young youth and providing them more employment opportunities is the need of the hour because youth are the future and asset of our society. Government should utilize their multi-talented potential for achieving developmental goals of the nation and building up a flourishing, prosperous and progressive society. The youth engaged with work, employment, education etc. would automatically end violence in a society. It is our moral duty and responsibility to make the Kashmir valley a safe place to live in where women are respected, safe and free from any violence. Let’s join hands and put our efforts together to end all forms of violence against women that will become an ideal and unique example for all the countries across world to follow.
(The author is a teacher at Govt Boys Higher Secondaty School Beerwah. Views are his own)

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