Women Battling Gender-Based Violence in India: Stories of Strength, Struggle, and Social Change

Women Battling Gender-Based Violence: Challenges, Laws, Stories, and the Road Ahead

Published on: 28 April 2025 | By: Shyam | Team Daily Affairs Insight

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Introduction: The Silent Global Crisis

Gender-based violence (GBV) remains one of the most widespread human rights violations across the globe.

Despite decades of activism, policy changes, and public awareness, millions of women continue to experience violence simply because they are women.

In India, the issue strikes at the very heart of social progress.

From the dimly lit corners of rural villages to the glass offices in metropolitan cities, violence against women transcends social, economic, and educational boundaries.

Today, at Daily Affairs Insight, we explore the depth of this crisis — analyzing its causes, impacts, systemic flaws, and potential solutions — because no country can move forward by leaving half its population unsafe.

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What Is Gender-Based Violence?

Gender-Based Violence (GBV) refers to any harm that is perpetrated against a person based on socially ascribed gender differences.

Although both men and women can experience GBV, women and girls are disproportionately affected.

Forms of GBV:

• Physical abuse: Beatings, torture, acid attacks

• Sexual violence: Rape, molestation, trafficking

• Emotional and psychological violence: Verbal abuse, threats, humiliation

• Economic abuse: Withholding access to financial resources

• Structural violence: Laws, policies, and institutions discriminating against women

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Historical Background: A Persistent Crisis

Violence against women is not new. Historical records from ancient civilizations reveal that patriarchal structures systematically oppressed women.

• In ancient India, Manusmriti relegated women to subordinate roles.

• During the medieval period, practices like Sati and child marriage further disempowered women.

• Colonial India saw some reforms (e.g., abolition of Sati in 1829), yet the underlying societal attitudes persisted.

Globally, the United Nations Declaration on the Elimination of Violence against Women (1993) formally recognized GBV as a human rights violation for the first time.

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Current Global and Indian Data: The Alarming Reality

🔹 Global Snapshot (UN Women Report 2024):

• 736 million women — almost one in three — are subjected to physical or sexual violence globally.

• Only 10% of women seek help from law enforcement.

🔹 India (NCRB 2023 Data):

• 4,45,256 crimes against women registered.

• 31.2% increase in reported cases compared to 2015.

• Top crimes: Domestic Violence, Rape, Molestation, Dowry Deaths.

States with highest reported GBV cases:

1. Uttar Pradesh

2. Rajasthan

3. Madhya Pradesh

4. Maharashtra

5. Assam

However, underreporting remains a huge challenge due to stigma, societal pressure, and fear.

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Real Stories That Shook the Nation

1. Nirbhaya Case (Delhi, 2012)

A medical student was gang-raped and brutally assaulted on a moving bus.

Her death sparked nationwide protests, leading to amendments in India's criminal laws and establishment of fast-track courts.

2. Manisha Valmiki Case (Hathras, 2020)

A Dalit girl was raped and fatally assaulted. Authorities faced backlash for their mishandling of the case, raising questions about caste and gender intersectionality.

3. Unnao Rape Case (2017-2019)

A BJP MLA was convicted for the rape of a minor. The survivor's family faced harassment, exposing the entanglement of politics and justice.

These cases represent the tip of the iceberg — many stories remain unheard.

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Impact of Gender-Based Violence on Society

Sector	Direct Effect
Economy	Decreases workforce participation, loss of GDP; World Bank 2024 estimates India loses 2.7% of GDP due to violence against women.
Public Health	Mental health crises (PTSD, depression), increased maternal mortality.
Education	School dropout rates among girls rise sharply due to unsafe environments.
Law and Order	Overburdened judicial system, erosion of trust in police.
Family and Society	Intergenerational trauma, normalization of violence.

Important: GBV costs countries billions annually in healthcare, legal, and social support expenses.

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How Indian Government Has Responded: Successes and Failures

🌟 Major Laws and Policies:

• The Protection of Women from Domestic Violence Act, 2005: Civil remedies for victims.

• The Sexual Harassment of Women at Workplace (POSH) Act, 2013: Mandates Internal Complaints Committees.

• The Criminal Law (Amendment) Act, 2013: Tougher penalties for sexual crimes.

• The Maternity Benefit (Amendment) Act, 2017: Enhanced maternity leave to ensure job security for women.

📈 Initiatives:

• Nirbhaya Fund (₹3000 crores sanctioned) — for women's safety projects.

• One Stop Centres (Sakhi Centres): Offering medical aid, legal aid, and counseling.

• Mahila Police Volunteers: Women trained to report crimes against women.

⚠️ Gaps and Disadvantages:

• Underutilization of Funds: As of 2023, 48% of Nirbhaya Funds remained unused.

• Slow Judiciary: Despite fast-track courts, cases drag on.

• Social Resistance: Deep-rooted patriarchal mindset resists change.

• Safety Apps: Poor functionality and awareness among rural women.

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The Role of NGOs: Filling Critical Gaps

✅ Successful NGOs:

• Breakthrough India: Focuses on behavior change through media campaigns.

• Jagori: Works at grassroots level to empower women in Delhi and Himachal Pradesh.

• Sayfty Trust: Equips women with self-defense skills and legal knowledge.

• SEWA (Self Employed Women’s Association): Empowers poor women through unionization and economic independence.

⚠️ Limitations:

• Resource Constraints: Many NGOs lack sufficient funding.

• Duplication: Lack of coordination leads to inefficiency.

• Political Pressures: NGOs working on women's rights often face crackdowns under foreign funding regulations.

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Effects of Politics on the Fight Against GBV

• Positive Impact:
  Some states like Kerala and Tamil Nadu have introduced gender budgeting to allocate funds specifically for women's welfare.

• Negative Impact:
  Instances like the Unnao rape case demonstrate how political affiliations can derail justice.

Important: Political will can either accelerate or obstruct progress.

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The Global Movements and Lessons for India

Movement	Lessons
#MeToo Movement	Importance of survivor-led narratives and social media activism.
Time’s Up Campaign	Workplace policies must be transparent and zero-tolerant.
UN Women’s HeForShe	Men's active participation is critical to ending GBV.

India must localize global campaigns, respecting its unique socio-cultural realities while learning from successful models.

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Comprehensive Solutions: The Way Forward

🛡️ Legal Reform

• Fast-track court timelines must be strictly enforced.

• Stringent punishment for failure in police duty.

• Protection for whistleblowers and witnesses.

📚 Education and Awareness

• Gender studies must be integrated into school curriculums.

• Mass media campaigns in regional languages.

📱 Technology and Innovation

• Strengthening safety apps.

• AI-based predictive policing in high-risk areas.

🏥 Healthcare Access

• Trauma care centers specialized for survivors.

• Free counseling services.

👩 Economic Empowerment

• Financial aid to survivors.

• Incentivizing companies to hire survivors of violence.

🤝 Community Engagement

• Formation of local women's watch committees.

• Community sensitization programs led by survivors.

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Conclusion: A Long Journey, But a Vital One

Ending gender-based violence is not merely about punishing offenders — it's about building a society where women feel safe to dream, work, love, and live without fear.

At Daily Affairs Insight, we believe that recognizing the problem is the first step.

The next — and harder — step is taking collective action.

Every parent, teacher, employer, legislator, and citizen must commit to changing mindsets, not just laws.

Because when a woman walks free, humanity marches forward.

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🔔 Stay tuned with Daily Affairs Insight for more critical explorations of issues that matter.

✍️ Written by Shyam | Team Daily Affairs Insight

🕰️ Published on: 28 April 2025, 6:20 PM IST