About a third of women in India have experienced physical or sexual violence, according to a report by National Family Health Survey-5. Although domestic violence against women has dropped from 31.2% to 29.3% in the country, 30% of women between the ages of 18 and 49 have been physically abused since the age of 15, and 6% have been sexually abused in their lifetime, a report released by Union Health Minister Dr Mansukh Mandviya on Thursday. Only 14% of women have ever been physically or sexually abused by anyone who has raised this issue.NFHS-5 points out that unparalleled comparisons between NFHS-4 and 5 were not possible as “… NFHS-4 covered women in the age group 15-49, NFHS-5 was targeted for women aged 18-49 ”.A survey found that 32% of married women (aged 18-49) have been physically, sexually, or emotionally abused. The most common type of marital violence is physical violence (28%), followed by emotional and sexual violence.
Domestic violence against women is highest in Karnataka by 48%, followed by Bihar, Telangana, Manipur and Tamil Nadu. Lakshawdeep has less than 2.1% domestic violence. Physical abuse is more common among rural women (32%) compared to their urban counterparts (24%) and violence against women decreases significantly with the increase in schooling and wealth – both for the abused woman, as well as for the male perpetrator.According to the study, 40% of illiterate women are physically abused compared to 18% of graduates. The experience of physical violence is between 39% of women in the lower quintile and 17% in the highest wealth quintile. In more than 80% of cases of physical abuse of women, the perpetrator is the husband.
Husbands who have completed 12 years or more are at greater risk (21%) of committing physical, sexual, or emotional violence than those who are illiterate (43%). “The experience of physical or sexual violence against one’s spouse varies greatly from the level of alcohol consumption to the spouse. 70% of women whose husbands are often drunk have been sexually abused or sexually abused, compared to 23% of their non-alcoholic husbands, ” the report said. than those in the 18-19 class.
The portrayal of women in media
The exploitation of women in the media is the use or exposure of women in the media (such as television, film and advertising) as items to increase the popularity of the media or a product that harms, or without regard to, personal interests. exposed women, or women in general. This process includes the introduction of women as sex objects and the establishment of the principles of feminine beauty that women are expected to express themselves.
Participation, performance and exposure to the media are three important stages of research for contemporary social science researchers, especially for women. Because in order to advance the status of women, it is very important to give them a proper place where they can raise their voices against the inequality and gender gap they see in our male-dominated societies or in our patriarchal societies. Improving the status of women, in all respects, is seen as the only way to end this gender gap and achieve a better quality of life for women. In this regard, communication can be considered as an important means and the media can play an important role in shaping social norms, attitudes, values, attitudes and behaviors.
It has been widely recognized that the media can play an important role in promoting and disseminating information among the masses and is considered an important contributor to the social, political and economic development of women. The media can focus on all the issues that women face, these can give women a chance to talk about their rights or freedom and most importantly the media can provide a platform for democracy where women can participate, represent their femininity and be well-publicized. Good media coverage of women is needed to maintain the dignity and true status of women which will reduce the gap and inequality between men and women. But if the media are also male-dominated or play a role in perpetuating this culture the situation will be facing women where their development and empowerment will not be possible.
READ ALSO : Governance Focus: Gates of development open to J&K after withdrawal of Article 370: Ramdas Athawale
