Transforming Social Norms to Prevent Violence Against Women

Our Indian constitution has granted equal rights to both men and women but somehow we are still lacking the equality of genders. Unfortunately, India is one of the countries where women suffer from discrimination, thus become victims of violence and occupy a low status in society. Discriminatory mind set towards women affects their everyday life. Women have been victims of discrimination for many years in almost all the societies, regions, cultures and religious communities. In India women have to bear with a variety of violence which includes domestic, mental, emotional, public, and social violence. Most of this is Intimate Partner Violence. Women who have been in the relationship also reported that they have experienced some of physical and sexual violence by their partner.

Intimate Partner Violence (IPV) refers to the behavior by intimate partner or husband and any male partner that cause physical, sexual or psychological harm, including aggression, abuse and controlling behaviors. When a relationship is full of communication gap, educational inequality and disrespect of one's life, then the violence occurs. Violence in any way affects the mental and physical health, and social life of women. The increasing level of violence decreases the participation of women in educational, social, political, and cultural areas.

The research paper explains the violence faced by the women and it also describes the effects on women's life. The research paper also tries to furnish some statistical data on violence against women and suggestions for the mitigating the same.