FEATURES NEWS THE RISING NEPAL (DAILY)

A Psychological Outlook On
Domestic Violence On Women

By Dr. Niranjan Prasad Upadhyay

VIOLENCE is an obstruction for accomplishment of objectives of equality, development and peace. It violates, impairs and nullifies human rights and basic freedoms. Failure to protect and promote their rights and freedoms are a matter of great concern to all the developing and developed countries. The patriarchal view of society gives men higher value than women. It is taken for granted that men should dominate women in politics, economics, and the social world including family life and interpersonal relationship. This is still seen as normal and natural practices in various aspects of modern society in many parts of the world.

Fear

Social scientists state that almost all girls as they grow into womanhood are taught fear. Fear is the form in which the female internalizes both chivalry and the double standard. Her fear results in a passive rather than active response to male aggression. She may become paralyzed with fear, restrict her behaviour (i.e., not to go out alone, not to do anything without her partner’s permission), try to appease her attacker, and worry about how she can prevent a future attack. The passive women are taught to regard themselves as helpless, unable to act, unable even to perceive, in no way self –sufficient. In order to confront violence in our patriarchal society, women must use their own strength as an energy source for reform. In all societies, to a greater or lesser degree, women are subjected to physical, sexual and psychological abuse that cuts across lines of income, class and culture. Violence against women is proving to be an effective weapon in the hands of man through which they can exploit women and establish their supremacy.

Social Psychologists highlight that women spend more time in household chores and childcare, while men spend more time in unsupervised play. At the same time they remark that female spend two thirds of their time doing household work, while male spend two third of their time in leisure. American Journal of Personality and Social psychology conducted a study of over 300 heterosexual college students according to which, 15 per cent of the women had been victims of date rape, and 78 per cent had been the recipient of some form of sexual coercion, most often unwanted touching of the women’s bodies.

Especially, unemployed and lower-income men reportedly abuse their wives more than employed and higher- income men do (Journal of Family Violence, 1998). Frustration or stress might explain why unemployed and blue–collar workers have higher rate of martial violence than other men. Social scientists have looked for differences between men who batter and men who do not. Men who engage in wife abuse are more likely to have a history of alcohol abuse and of witnessing physical abuse in the family as children. Also social researchers focus that not all men violently attack their spouses when they drink. Nepalese researchers have found that women face different types of psychological problems related to sexual harassment at workplace i.e. degradation of physical and mental health, decrease in earning, loss of job etc. In Nepal, domestic violence against women takes different forms. Under a broad definition, violence against women includes: sexual abuse and torture, women trafficking, rape, incest, sexual harassment, dowry and bride price, rough treatment of women, marital rape, traditional form of violence, mental torment, verbal abuse, and gender discrimination. The government has come forward with a board policy framework that consists of awareness creation, advocacy, networking and social mobilization.

The abuse of women by their male partners is among the most pervasive and dangerous forms of gender-based violence. Developed and developing countries psychologists have brilliantly remarked that violence raise diversified problems like anxiety, depression and sleeplessness. Also it can generate extreme state of dependency as well as severe symptoms that comprise the post-traumatic stress disorders experienced by victims of violence as well as by victims of rape.

UNICEF Regional Office For South Asia (1997) has stressed that in the Mahabharat, women were made to parade in the nude and they are made to do the same today too. It is widely accepted that violence against women and girls whether in public or private life, is an atrocious issue. There is increased awareness and commitment to prevent and combat violence against women and girls, including domestic violence, which violates and impairs their human rights and fundamental freedoms.

Along with improving health care and literacy for women, education for girls is the single greatest initiation of human development. It imparts girls with the knowledge, skills and confidence needed by them to make the most of their abilities, to lead healthier lives and to protect themselves from discrimination and violence. Psychologists and sociologists have remarked that violence is the consequence of economic, psychological, social, cultural, environmental, and educational problems in society. Many Nepalese NGO’s have been active in creating public awareness against violence.

Psychologically, violence is unseen, and perpetuated; it is an insidious but pervasive instrument of oppression and destruction for the most vulnerable members of the family, children and women. Stopping violence against woman is not just a matter of punishing individual acts. The issue is to change the perception - so deep seated as often unconscious - that women are fundamentally of less value than men.

Sustained Move

In conclusion, violence eradication is not a simple and one day work. So, joint efforts are needed. A grass root effort at awareness generation is of utmost importance to nip the problem at the bud. Mass media- both audio-visual and print materials are playing very crucial role to keep the public informed about the enormity and proportion of this shameful and dehumanizing problem. Government of Nepal has identified gender equality and women’s empowerment as major policy, has also encouraged the government to get rid of all forms of bias against women and to work in close teamwork with civil societies.

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