Violence Against Women in India: The Discourses of Rape

• In Event: 2351 - Section on the Sociology of Sex and Gender Refereed Roundtables
  In Refereed Roundtable 100min: 10. Sexual Violence

Abstract

Various forms of violence have become a part of many women’s everyday life. Starting from intimate partner violence, sexual harassment, rape, acid mutilation, dowry deaths to female infanticide and sex-selective abortion, violence against and violation of women seem to have exacerbated in contemporary times. The aim of this paper is to explore how violence against women, namely rape, is normalized in India, reasons why there is such low reporting of crime while evaluating the actions of various actors in the criminal justice system. Additionally, I will discuss possible policy, cultural and social solutions to combat the existing rape culture in India. The victim-blaming remarks blame “western” influence for rape as it encourages girls and women to fight for their right to education, right to work, right to choose a life on their own accord. Due to the myth of misuse of rape and false allegations by women to shame men, doctors in India still carry out “two finger test” on rape victims. In villages, a lot rape cases occur as women have to go defecate in the fields or in the jungles during late nights or early mornings. This is subjected to the lack of sanitation facilities at home. Thus, increasing education and safe spaces for women is a priority in rural India. Overall, in the fight for gender equality and justice for women, it is essential for males to speak out along with women, as they play a crucial role in rape prevention.

Author

• Srushti Upadhyay