Post independence, India has developed tremendously in almost every respect, but the liberty of Indian women continues to be curtailed by the society, which is still very male-dominant.
City-based NGOs working for the welfare of women are of the opinion that complaint is registered for only 20 per cent of the women victimised, of which 90 per cent involve physical and metal torture by drunken partner.
The correlation between alcohol consumption and violence
has been proven time and again. What begins with as a squabble between two people eventually gets more severe and leads to physical abuse, which becomes more frequent over time.
“Almost all cases of domestic violence registered with our organisation involve torture by an alcoholic husband. Men drink for various reasons like burgeoning work pressure and frustration. They get an easy access to alcohol and find it difficult to resist the temptation,” said Meenakshi Joshi, convenor, All India Mahila Sanskruti Sangathhan.
“Unfortunately, only 20 per cent of such cases are registered because many women do not have the courage to register a case against their spouse thinking that it would only aggravate the situation. Neither is there a proper support system in place for them, nor adequate officers to protect them from such nuisance,” she added.
“Apart from the social stigma attached, women also a fear about the safety of their children, and gradually they begin to accept it as a way of life,” she said.
Alcoholics have no social status and are constantly looked down upon by other members of the society. Lack of social security and entertainment, and the fear of losing their job compel them to seek for an escape route which, for most men, is provided by alcohol and then victimising their spouse.
“In most cases, it has been observed that violence is usually given force during or shortly after the drinking episode. While the women worry about meeting the growing expenses, men splurge their day’s earnings on drinks. This besides, the current global meltdown has also worsened the situation,” said Sarah Baldiwala, president, Ahmedabad Women’s Action Group (AWAG).
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