Indian Women’s Struggle Against Domestic Violence and the Challenges They Face

Abstract

This research explores various issues of domestic violence faced by Indian women, which further discusses physical, emotional, and economic abuse. Physical violence remains one of the prevalent forms, in which patriarchal norms that normalize the control over women through force, and it is how it’s perpetuated until now. Although legal reforms have been implemented, societal acceptance of such violence continues to oppress women across various social classes. Emotional abuse is less visible, but it is as equally harmful as the physical violence’s harm, which will damage women’s mental health and reinforce dependency on abusers. Economic violence is generally associated with traditional practices like dowry, that puts women in financial insecurity, and limits their ability to escape from abusive environments. Grassroots movements and public campaigns have played an important role in improving women’s awareness and empowering them to resist violence. However, there are gaps in legal enforcement, especially in rural areas, that negatively impacts the effectiveness of progressive legislation like the Protection of Women from Domestic Violence Act (PWDVA). Government initiatives have the potential, but they are underutilized because of systemic inefficiencies. The study concludes that Indian women still face significant obstacles in resisting domestic violence, that include societal stigma, limited awareness of rights, and insufficient social and economic support systems. To achieve change, the institutional support should be enhanced and have stronger attitudes in cultural shift toward gender-based violence.