Study of Domestic Violence against Women in Rural Areas of District Bhandara, Maharashtra

Violence against women is now widely recognised as an important public health problem, owingto its health consequences. It goes unreported among many Indian communities on a regular basis. If we take a look at the violence experienced by the women, we will come to know thatfemales are exposed to violence even before theyare born, they are even killed ‘in utero ’. Even dowry demands leading to deaths are rampant in cities as well as villages.

This study was conducted to report the prevalence and causes of domestic violence against women from the rural areas of District Bhandara, Maharashtra.

The study was conducted on married females who attended the Pragati Mahila Samaj Family Counselling Centre, Bhandara, with their problems, between the period April, 2014 to March, 2017. After obtaining written informed consent, relevant information was recorded in a predesigned and pretested proforma.

Prevalence of domestic violence against women was found more common among OBC and SC communities, accounting for 85.7% cases. Maladjustment with spouse was the major cause, 64.6%, followed by maltreatment by inlaws, 21.6%. Maltreatment for dowry demand at in-law's house accounted for 13.7% cases. Personality difference with spouse and alcohol abuse by spouse were found to be the two major reasons behind maladjustment with spouse. Mutual compromise on counselling of both parties settled the issue in majority of the cases.