In a nation that reveres Goddesses, a harsh reality unfolds daily: Women are being murdered at an alarming rate. Between 2020 and 2025, India has witnessed a surge in gender-based killings, with thousands of women losing their lives to honour killings, dowry deaths, and intimate partner violence.
The question haunts us: How did we normalize the brutalization of half our population? According to the National Crime Records Bureau, 2021 saw over 4,28,000 crimes against women, an 11% increase from the previous year. In 2022 alone, more than 20,000 women were murdered, with nearly 8,000 deaths attributed to dowry-related violence. The statistics are chilling: A woman faces violence every 1.7 minutes in India.
High-profile cases have periodically jolted the nation’s conscience. Shraddha Walkar’s 2022 murder, where her body was dismembered by her partner, exposed the horror of intimate partner violence. The 2020 Hathras gang rape revealed systemic failures in justice delivery, with political interference and police negligence denying the victim even a dignified burial. The 2023 Hyderabad case, where a young woman was raped, murdered, and set ablaze, sparked nationwide protests.
Yet these headlines represent just the tip of the iceberg. For every case that makes news, thousands go unreported, buried under layers of shame and fear. Domestic violence remains one of the most underreported crimes, with many women enduring years of abuse in silence.
The Roots Run DeepThis crisis is anchored in a patriarchal society that views women as property or bearers of family honour. From birth, girls are conditioned to be submissive, prioritize others’ needs, and endure suffering quietly. Economic dependency traps many in abusive environments, while legal frameworks, though well-intentioned, often fail in implementation. Media narratives compound the problem, with films romanticizing stalkers as passionate lovers and news coverage shifting from outrage to amnesia within days. When violence erupts, the questions follow with predictable cruelty: “Why was she out so late?” The spotlight swings from the predator to the prey, as if a woman’s choices, not a man’s violence, authored her tragedy.
Kerala’s Deadly ParadoxKerala presents a troubling paradox. Despite high literacy rates and progressive indicators, the state has witnessed shocking femicides. The recent killings in Thiruvananthapuram, where a young man murdered five family members, including his mother and girlfriend, expose the alarming reality beneath the state’s progressive veneer. The Hema Commission’s report on Kerala’s film industry further revealed widespread sexual harassment, forcing acknowledgment of deep-rooted misogyny in an industry that has long silenced victims. Most disturbing was the January 2025 case where 44 men were arrested for systematically abusing a young Dalit woman over five years, revealing the intersection of caste and gender-based violence
Global Solutions Worth EmulatingWhile India struggles, other nations have implemented effective strategies. Spain has specialized courts exclusively for gender violence cases. Canada’s National Action Plan includes crisis hotlines and strict monitoring of offenders. Argentina’s ‘Ni Una Menos’ movement mobilized public awareness, leading to stricter laws and better protection mechanisms. Iceland’s gender equality policies have resulted in one of the lowest rates of crimes against women globally. France tracks repeat domestic violence offenders with electronic bracelets, while Sweden focuses on survivor rehabilitation with mental health support and economic independence programmes.
Breaking the CyclePreventing femicide requires a multi-faceted approach. Legal reforms must criminalize marital rape, fast-track court proceedings, and enforce mandatory gender sensitivity training for police. Education systems must teach children about consent, empathy, and healthy relationships from an early age. Economic empowerment initiatives can foster financial independence, enabling women to escape abusive environments. Community-driven efforts, like women-led policing and male allyship campaigns, can transform societal attitudes. Technology can enhance safety through apps and AI-driven tools.
Above all, ending gender-based violence demands a cultural shift—a collective reckoning with patriarchal norms. It requires listening to survivors, amplifying their voices, and holding perpetrators accountable regardless of their status or connections. The consequences of inaction are profound.
Children orphaned by domestic murders suffer long-term trauma. Communities where violence goes unchecked cultivate fear and silence. The economy loses an estimated 3% of GDP annually as women withdraw from education and workforce participation.
For every woman who suffers in silence, for every life lost to violence, the time to act is now. The choice is clear: We must prioritize humanity over hierarchy, justice over indifference, and life over silence.
The writer is assistant professor of English, Fatima Mata National College, Kollam
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