Violence against women: A sociological study of Imaliya Bhanpur village in Mahmudabad Tehsil, Sitapur, Uttar Pradesh

Domestic violence or hinsa is one of the most common crimes against women which is inextricably linked to the perpetuation of patriarchal system in India. Women in Indian society have always been central issues of concern. Indian tradition and society at large consider women as second class citizens. Though we admire and worship them in the name of goddess Durga, Parvati and Kali, we also abuse her in the form of child-marriage, female infanticide, sexual harassment, dowry, and so on. The status of women has varied in different time periods from vedic period to modern time. Violence against women is partly a result of gender discrimination that assumes men to be superior to women. Given the subordinate status of women, much of women violence is considered normal and enjoys social sanction. Manifestations of violence include physical aggression, psychological and economical violence. Social and cultural factors are interlinked with the development and propagation of violent behavior.