news details |
|
|
| The Domestic Violence Act | | editorial | |
How far it will spare the woman folk to be victims of domestic
violence will be known later, but for the time being it can be said
that the coming into force from this Thursday of The Domestic Violence
Act 2005, is a highly progressive step, so far as empowerment of the
fair sex is concerned. The Act is meant to provide protection to the
wife or the female live-in partner from violence at the hands of the
husband or the male live-in partner or his relatives. Though the
punishment prescribed for the person committing the offence under the
Act is not so deterrent, viz an imprisonment of one year or fine upto
Rs 20,000, yet the husbands used to beating their wives under fitness
of anger or intoxicated by liker will think twice before thrashing
their life partners. The domestic violence under the Act includes
abuse or the threat of abuse, be it physical, sexual, verbal or
economic as per the explanation by the ministry for woman and child
development. Harassment by way of unlawful dowry demands to the woman
or her relatives will also be covered under this definition. Thus the
Act is quite wide ranging and covers almost all the contours of
domestic violence to which women folk have been subjected to for quite
a long time now. In our country around 70% of women are victims of
these violent acts in one form or the others. It is hoped that the law
will go a long way in providing relief to women from violence within
the household. Although the law appears to be quite useful and an
effective tool to provide protection to the woman at the hands of
their drunkard husbands, yet it will be the implementation of the law
which will bring real results. Although the ministry for woman and
child development has also issued notification laying down the rules
framed for the Implementation of the Act, which will provide for among
other things appointment of protection officers, service providers and
councilors, yet the implementation of the law will be a hell of
problem. Like other many good laws this one two will continue to be
violated with impunity. The case of the law prohibiting child labour
which came into force only recently and which is being openly violated
with children still working in Dhabas, tea shops and as domestic
servants is an example in this regard. The domestic violence is
mostly prevalent among the weaker section of the society and it are
the illiterate women mostly belonging to the backward classes who are
subjected to beating and humiliation by their husbands and the male
members in the family. Very often even elderly female members in the
family join the male members to commit atrocity on the hapless younger
female members. These victims have neither the means nor access to the
enforcement agencies to seek protection under the law. The voluntary
organizations, particularly those working in the field of women
welfare and empowerment shall have to play an important role to get
justice to the victims. Further misuse of law by perverted woman, out
to take revenge against some real or imaginary grouse against their
husband shall have to be taken care of. The law should not provide
licence to a vamp to settle her personal scores with her husband, with
home she is unable to adjust as a result of her fulfill ambitions.
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
| |
| |
|
|
|
|
 |
|
|
