January 10 – GS1/Indian Society: 2026 | UPSC Daily Answer Writing Practice PDF Download

Q: Violence against women occurs throughout the life cycle from cradle to grave. Discuss (250 words)

Introduction

• Violence against women is a serious issue recognized by the United Nations as any act of violence based on gender that causes physical, sexual, or mental harm to women. This includes threats, coercion, and deprivation of liberty, whether in public or private.
• According to the World Health Organization (WHO), about 1 in 3 women worldwide have experienced physical or sexual violence from an intimate partner or non-partner at some point in their lives.
• In India, the National Crime Record Bureau reported an increase in crimes against women, rising from 56.5% in 2020 to 64.5% in 2021. This report highlighted a significant rise in various forms of violence against women, including dowry deaths, sexual harassment, torture, rape, and domestic violence.

Body

 Violence against women is a complex issue that affects various aspects of society, including social, economic, developmental, legal, educational, human rights, and health (both physical and mental) dimensions. From birth to death, women experience a vast amount of psychological and physical violence, which is elaborated below: 

• Female Infanticide: This refers to the intentional killing of baby girls due to a cultural preference for male children and the low value assigned to the birth of a girl child.
• Low Education Levels: In conservative Indian societies, there is often a reluctance to send girl children to school, leading to disparities in education between boys and girls. This further perpetuates unequal access to food and medical care.
• Girl Child Marriage: Early marriage of girl children can lead to various abuses, including female genital mutilation, sexual and psychological abuse by relatives or strangers, differential access to food and medical care, and involvement in child prostitution and pornography.
• Girl Child Labor: Many girl children are forced into domestic work, where they may be abused by their employers, branded with hot irons, or even chained. Some girls may be murdered by their employers or may commit suicide due to the abuse.
• Dowry Death: Dowry deaths occur when married women are murdered or driven to suicide over disputes regarding dowry payments.
• Domestic Violence: Domestic violence refers to violence within the private sphere, typically between individuals related by intimacy, blood, or law. Despite the seemingly neutral term, domestic violence is primarily a gender-specific crime, with men as perpetrators and women as victims.
• Sexual Harassment at the Workplace: Reports indicate that younger women in their first jobs or women returning to work after a break are the primary victims of sexual harassment at the workplace. Victims are usually vulnerable due to their age or employment status.
• Violence Against Elderly Women: There have been multiple cases of sexual assault and rape against elderly women, often abandoned by their families in old age or sent to inhumane old age homes where they endure misery and indignity.
• Unfavorable Laws and Societal Mindset: Although the Indian Constitution guarantees equal rights to women, deep-rooted patriarchal traditions continue to prevail. Women’s lives are often dictated by customs that are centuries old. In many Indian families, daughters are viewed as liabilities and are conditioned to believe in their inferiority and subordination to men.

Conclusion

 To address and prevent violence against women, several measures need to be implemented: 

• Enforcement of Gender Equality Legislation: Enact and enforce laws that promote gender equality and end discrimination against women in various aspects such as marriage, divorce, custody, inheritance, and ownership of assets.
• Financial Independence for Women: Improve women’s access to paid employment opportunities to enhance their financial independence.
• Development of National Plans and Policies: Create and resource national plans and policies aimed at addressing violence against women effectively.
• Capacity Building and Training: Enhance the capacity and training of service providers and law enforcement officers to handle cases of violence against women sensitively and effectively.
• Male-Mediated Initiatives: Involve men in programs aimed at addressing and preventing violence against women.
• Early Identification and Support: Identify women and children experiencing violence early and provide appropriate referrals and support to prevent recurrence.
• Promotion of Egalitarian Gender Norms: Promote egalitarian gender norms as part of life skills and comprehensive sexuality education curricula for young people.