Study: Just 9% women know of Domestic Violence Act

Aurangabad: A survey carried out in four districts of Marathwada by five non-government organinsations (NGOs) found that 26.7% of the women participants experienced domestic violence in the last 12 months.

As many as 2,360 women in the age group of 13 to 49 from 100 villages in Beed, Hingoli, Latur and Osmanabad districts participated in the survey.

It also came to the fore that only 9.2% women were aware of the Protection of Women from Domestic Violence Act, 2005. And few were aware of the role of the court and the protection officer in helping rehabilitation of the victim.

Switzerland-based NGO Swissaid facilitated the survey with the help of four local NGOs — Ugam Sanstha (Hingoli), Gramin Mahila Vikas Sanstha (Deoni-Nagpur), Manavlok Sanstha (Ambajogai) and Halo Medical Foundation (HMF) (Osmanabad).

The result of the survey was shared by during a programme held at Mahatma Gandhi Mission (MGM). According to Swissaid, the study collected baseline information for an intervention to address domestic violence experienced by women.

Kashinath Ahinkari, president of HMF, in his introductory speech said that for gender equality in society men need to get rid of their ego. The survey result was presented by HMF trustee Kranti Rayamane and researcher Gopal Kulkarni.

As per the findings, 38.3% women said they have experienced domestic violence at least once. Of this, 33.9% encountered physical violence, 24.1% faced emotional violence and 12.2% faced sexual violence.

The survey defines emotional violence as being insulted or made to feel bad about oneself, being belittled in front of others or being intimidated for a purpose.

Early marriage, low literacy, poor economic status, marginalised social status, substance addiction, polygamy and financial or health problems emerged as the key factors that were associated with domestic violence.