Navratri 2023: While Maa Chandraghanta Embodies Shakti, Women Are Subjected To Abuse Every Day

On the third day of Navratri, we worship Maa Chandraghanta. Her name means the one who has a bell in the shape of a half-moon. She has a third eye that always remains open showcasing how she is always ready for a battle with evil.

She is also called Chandika, Chandrakhanda or Rannchandi. In the Shiva Purana, she is said to be the strength of Lord Shiva. Shakti accompanies him in every aspect, which is why the concept of Ardhanarishvara emerged. While the lord considers his partner as his better half, and we worship them in every form, women are still subjected to abuse by their partners in 2023.

Women Are Subjected To Gender-Based Violence

Gender-based violence is not a new concept but one that women have been struggling with for centuries. The sad reality is that over the past few years, it has only increased.

According to a 2011 report by the National Crime Bureau, there were 2,28,650 crimes reported against women. This number increased to 4, 28, 278. Every day, you can find at least one piece of news on dowry deaths, rape, molestation or harassment.

In 2014, dowry deaths in India amounted to 8,500. In 2021, this came down to 6,800. Considering the span of seven years, the percentage of decrease is quite less.

A 2021 report by LocalCircles stated that only 23% of women file complaints against molestation. About 29% of Indian women reported having experienced molestation or sexual advances in public spaces, and 9% of women have faced it more than once.

The National Crime Records Bureau (NCRB) report of 2021 revealed that India registered 86 rape cases on a daily average. The total count was 65.025. A report in the Hindustan Times pointed out that at least 21% of unnatural deaths of women and girls between 2017 and 2022 were because of the gender-based violence they were subjected to.

The current scenario of domestic violence in India can leave chilling sensations in anyone’s spine. In 2021, the National Commission of Women (NCW) received 26,513 complaints of domestic violence compared to 20,309 grievances in 2019. The number of complaints increased during the lockdown when victims were forced to stay in the same house as perpetrators.

According to the National Family Health Survey (2019-2021), 85% of crimes of sexual violence among married women are committed by their husbands. Even in this situation, marital rape in India is still not a criminal offence. Though the Supreme Court recognised it as rape, there are no laws against it.

Sexism is another subject where nary any laws exist. While we agree that even men are subjected to sexism, it is women who bear most of the brunt of patriarchy. It could be as small as making cringe-worthy husband-wife jokes at the expense of the women. It becomes visible when employers ask women about plans for their marriage and family.

There is an internalised patriarchy with which we deal every day but refuse to recognise it. For example, women cook the food but eat at the last, it is men who are always making the financial decisions, when guests arrive, women serve while men have fun, etc. Most times we do not think over these instances because society has conditioned us to think that we have to adhere to gender roles.

Reasons For Abuse Hurled At Women

Women are subjected to abuse because they are considered beneath men. In the case of domestic violence, it has been found that since they are financially dependent on men, it is easier for husbands or other male members in the family to harass them, mentally as well as physically.

It is because of this dependency and responsibility of kids that many victims do not come forward to report the crime. They bear the marks of suffering for decades. It is one of the primary reasons why victims of marital rape do not leave their partners.

According to the National Health Survey of 2019-2021, men said that it was okay for them to beat their wives if she refuses sex, disrespected in-laws, suspects of infidelity, does not cook properly, argues with him and goes out without his permission.

While Pati (Husband) is deemed Parmeshwar (God), the wife is considered a servant or subservient to him, his needs and his family throughout her life.

In Darlings, Alia Bhatt’s character remained in an abusive marriage for years. She fell in love with a man and found excuses for his behaviour until he pushed her off the stairs, which caused her to miscarry. At that moment, she realised that no excuse justified a man beating his wife. At that very moment, misguided love finally took a backseat.

To an extent, the film was able to depict the reality of our society, blended with dark humour. Much like Badrunissa Sheikh, several women across the world are victims of violence at the hands of their partners.

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What Can Be Done?

First, we have to stop victim blaming. We need to create safe spaces for women and girls to talk about their ordeals, especially when they are reporting domestic and sexual violence.

The Centre Government and judiciary have to make stringent laws. We need to ensure that such cases get dates quickly in the courts and judgements are passed sooner rather than subjecting the survivor to years of humiliation.

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Installing CCTV cameras to ensure heightened safety would not work unless society changes its concept of gender roles and stops considering men the sole decision-makers in the family. We have to make our daughters financially independent so that they feel more empowered and have the courage to walk out of abusive marriages or relationships.

We have to stop considering women secondary to their husbands, instead they must be encouraged to stand shoulder-to-shoulder.