CHENNAI: Though Tamil Nadu is one of the progressive States in the country, the percentage of spousal violence is something which it cannot take pride in.
According to the National Family Health Survey 4 (2015-16), two out of every five married women in the State are victims of spousal violence and barely there is a decline in last 10 years. Despite the recognition of spousal violence as a criminal offence since 1983 (IPC 498-A), there was no civil law until the Protection of Women from Domestic Violence Act which was enacted in 2005.
While there is drastic drop in spousal violence in States such as Bihar, Assam, Madhya Pradesh, Tripura and West Bengal, there was only a 1.3 (41.9 to 40.3) per cent drop here between 2005 and 2015.
Prevalence of spousal violence is higher in rural (44.2) than in urban (37.2) areas.
Anandi S, associate professor at Madras Institute of Developmental Studies (MIDS), who specialises in gender, caste and identity politics, feels that empowerment of women has triggered a sense of insecurity among some men leading to increase in domestic violence. The NFHS 3 (2005-06) revealed that the violence is higher for women who are employed than women who are not. Alcoholism is considered to be another factor that influences spousal violence. According to the data, 46.7 per cent of men in the State consume alcohol. This is a five per cent rise from a decade ago.
“Life in general, particularly for working people, has become very uncertain with the level of informalisation that the working sector has reached. This acts in addition to problems such as landlessness. A situation with higher uncertainty leads to higher degrees of violence,” said Nagaraj K, a professor of rural development and urbanisation and demography. The NFHS-3 shows that more than half of women and men agree that it is justifiable for a husband to beat his wife under circumstances such as wife disrespecting in-laws or neglecting house or children.
Also, reportage of violence could be lower as women stop considering it as abnormal or struggle for dominance may reduce on internalising and accepting the violence. While there are no direct links between literacy and spousal violence, the NFHS-3 data has shown higher education, that is, 10 or more years of education, is strongly and negatively associated with all types of violence. While literacy among women is nearly 80 per cent, only half the women have had higher education.
Tamil Nadu has been ranked fifth in India in prevalence of domestic violence. Reporting of events of abuse is considered higher in the State. “Tamil Nadu accounts for half of all domestic violence cases recorded,” said Anandhi.
Types of violence
Violence includes physical, emotional and sexual violence. Physical violence, particularly slapping, is observed as the most common form of violence. Interestingly experience of spousal violence against ever-married women during pregnancy is relatively very low. It is 6.2 per cent in the State and 5 per cent in urban areas alone.