The Dialectical Factor between Violence and Women- A Threat for the Empowerment

The existence of violence in the family and the consequent deprivation of women is a common phenomenon. Domestic violence though means violence in the family refers to violence against women in particular, as almost always the victims are women. Domestic violence means physical or mental assault of women by their male partners. The term wife abuse is also often used to mean the same. Masculine behaviour-aggression, risk taking, and the consumption of drugs and alcohol –is often believed to underlie male violence against women. Domestic violence is not only on the increase, but is also assuming subtler forms every day. Earlier victims of domestic violence did not lodge complaints, as they feared that such complaints might create a hostile home environment. Very often, women used to endure the violence towards them in silence for fear of repercussions. Any act of gender-based violence that results in, or is likely to result in, physical, sexual or psychological harm or suffering to women, including threat of such acts, coercion or arbitrary deprivations of liberty, whether occurring in public or private life. 1. Physical, sexual, and psychological violence occurring in the family and in the community, including battering, sexual abuse of female children, dowry-related violence, marital rape, female genital mutilation and other traditional practices harmful to women; 2. Non-spousal violence; 3. Violence related to exploitation; 4. Sexual harassment and intimidation at work, in educational institutions and elsewhere; 5. Trafficking in women; 6. Forced prostitution; and 7. Violence perpetrated or condoned by the State