50% women face abuse at home: Study

Thiruvananthapuram: A study conducted at the Karumkulam panchayat by a social organisation has found that over 50% of the women in the panchayat are subjected to domestic violence. Fishing is the major source of livelihood for most people living in this coastal hamlet. Based on the study conducted by the panchayat last year, a social organization, Sakhi, did a detailed study to find out the actual cause behind the abuse, and the result shows certain serious social issues as the reason for it.
The panchayat study revealed that 53% of the women experienced financial torture, 50% experienced mental torture, and 58% underwent brutal physical and sexual assault at home. The study found that atrocities against women are rampant in 12 wards of the panchayat. Excessive use of alcohol and drugs among men and very odd dowry practises were pointed out as the key reasons for the mess.
However, the study conducted by Sakhi blames the attitude of people in the panchayat for the mess.
"Why are drunken men targeting women at home? This is a serious attitude problem as women are considered an easy target. The situation of women is horrific at the panchayat, and immediate attention from various bodies is a must to address the issue," said Mercy Alexander, co-coordinator at Sakhi.
As per the practise, adopted at the panchayat, grooms must live at the house of the bride after marriage. A bride’s family must pay two dowries, one for the parents of the groom and the second for the groom himself.
"The bride's family must pay dowry worth Rs 7-10 lakhs to the groom's parents and an equal amount to the groom.In fact, grooms are purchased by the bride's family, and a groom will cut all ties with the family after marriage. The system here is so strange, and the outside world is not at all aware of it," said Rita Xavier, a woman who participated in the study.
The panchayat had organised various awareness drives to eradicate these dowry practices as well as the use of alcohol and drugs. "However, the participation of men was very poor in all the drives. The panchayat has been taking various initiatives to empower women socially and financially. Men have to play a pivotal role to bring about change, but, unfortunately, it is not happening," said Freeda Simon, a ward member.
According to the Kanjiramkulam police, drug and alcohol use is common among young men and boys. Usually, issues associated with women and families are resolved by the churches. "Women here do not come to the police station with complaints of torture and harassment, but rather approach the church," said the police.