In ancient India, women held high respect, but societal changes led to a decline in their status. Negative trends include declining sex ratio, health, literacy rates, and increasing social evils.
Meaning of Crime/Violence Against Women:
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- “Crime against women” refers to direct or indirect physical or mental cruelty directed at women.
- Encompasses various crimes where women are the specific victims, including rape, dowry deaths, and torture.
- “Violence against women” includes gender-based acts resulting in physical, sexual, or psychological harm.
- Domestic violence involves abuse within the home, such as physical aggression, threats, and emotional abuse.
United Nations Definition:
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- The UN’s 1993 Declaration on the Elimination of Violence against Women defines gender-based violence causing harm to women.
- Encompasses acts like threats, coercion, and arbitrary deprivation of liberty, occurring in public or private life.
Forms of Violence:
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- Criminal violence includes rape, abduction, murder, dowry deaths, and wife battering.
- Domestic violence involves various forms like physical abuse, threats, sexual abuse, and economic deprivation within the home.
- Social violence encompasses issues like eve-teasing, forcing foeticide, and compelling widows to commit sati.
Impact on Society:
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- Violence against women affects a large section of society, causing physical, psychological, and social harm.
- Negative consequences include disrupted law and order, agitations, economic implications, and hindrance to societal development.
International Perspective – UN Definition:
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- The UN’s definition underlines the global recognition of violence against women as a pervasive issue requiring elimination.
- Acts as a guideline for countries worldwide to address and combat gender-based violence.
