Unveiling the Shadows: The Many Forms of Violations Against Women’s Rights

Women’s rights violations in India persist across a spectrum that extends from systemic discrimination to direct violence. Despite constitutional guarantees and progressive legislation, women continue to face multiple forms of injustice that limit their freedom, safety, and equality. Understanding these violations is essential for building a more just society.

Violence and physical abuse against women 🔗

Violence against women remains a pressing concern in India, with reported incidents increasing significantly over the years. Between 2011 and 2021, reported incidents of crime against women increased by 87%, rising from approximately 228,650 cases to 428,278 cases. This surge reflects both actual increases in violence and improved reporting mechanisms.

Domestic violence constitutes the most common form of violence experienced by women in India. Domestic violence accounts for more than 30% of the crimes against women, with physical violence by husbands being the most prevalent type. The National Family Health Survey data reveals that most violence, whether physical or sexual, goes unreported to authorities.

Sexual violence represents another critical violation. Women face assault both within marital relationships and from non-partners. In August 2024, a trainee doctor was raped and murdered at a hospital in Kolkata, sparking nationwide protests and highlighting the vulnerability women face even in professional settings.

Dowry-related crimes and harassment 🔗

The practice of dowry continues to fuel violence against women in India despite legal prohibitions. As of December 2024, data showed that 17% of complaints were related to dowry harassment, alongside 292 reported cases of dowry deaths. These numbers represent only reported cases, with many incidents remaining hidden within families.

Dowry deaths occur when women are murdered or driven to suicide due to disputes over dowry payments. Husbands and in-laws often subject women to continuous harassment and torture to extort greater dowry amounts, sometimes resulting in fatal outcomes. This practice treats women as economic commodities rather than equal partners in marriage.

Gender-based discrimination in the workplace 🔗

Economic discrimination remains deeply entrenched in India’s labor market. Indian women earned on average 48% less compared to their male counterparts in 1993-94, and despite improvements, the gap was still 28% in 2018-19. The COVID-19 pandemic reversed this progress, with the gap increasing by 7% between 2018-19 and 2020-21.

Women employed full-time earn approximately 34% less than men, and this gap widens for part-time workers to about 42%. Even women without children face pay discrimination as they are viewed as potential mothers who may require career breaks.

Gender-based discrimination in hiring and promotions significantly affects wage parity. Women face barriers in accessing leadership positions, with deep-rooted stereotypes associating leadership qualities with masculine traits. This underrepresentation in high-paying roles perpetuates economic inequality.

Occupational segregation and undervaluation 🔗

Women tend to be concentrated in lower-paying sectors such as caregiving and administrative work, while men dominate higher-paying industries like technology and finance. Roles traditionally associated with women are often undervalued despite requiring high levels of training and expertise. This systematic undervaluation contributes directly to the gender pay gap.

Female foeticide and the devaluation of girl children 🔗

Perhaps no violation demonstrates the depth of gender discrimination more starkly than female foeticide. Female foeticide kills upwards of one million females in India annually, with devastating consequences for society. In some areas, the sex ratio has dropped to less than 800 females per 1,000 males.

Between 1987 and 2016, approximately 13.5 million female fetuses were aborted selectively, with the number escalating from 3.5 million in 1987-1996 to 5.5 million in 2007-2016. This practice is driven by economic factors including dowry obligations, preference for sons to provide old-age support, and patrilineal inheritance systems.

The Pre-Conception and Pre-Natal Diagnostic Techniques Act of 1994 prohibits sex determination and selective abortion, yet enforcement remains weak and the practice continues, particularly among educated and affluent populations. This paradox reveals that socioeconomic development alone cannot address deeply rooted gender discrimination.

Caste-based violence against women 🔗

Women from marginalized caste communities face compounded discrimination based on both gender and caste. Assault on Dalit women with intent to outrage modesty increased by 77.3% in 2022 compared to 2014, with a total of 28,984 incidents reported over nine years.

Insult to modesty of Dalit women saw a five-fold increase of 303% in 2022 over 2014. Media reports documented 33 incidents of sexual and physical violence against Dalit women between January and September 2024, highlighting the vulnerability of women from marginalized communities.

Conviction rates for crimes against Dalit women remain dismally low. The overall conviction rate at Special Courts for the period 2014-2022 was only 28.35%, demonstrating systemic failure in delivering justice to the most vulnerable sections of society.

Cultural practices that perpetuate violations 🔗

Several cultural practices continue to endanger women’s lives and dignity. Honor killings occur when family members murder women considered to have brought shame upon the family, often for choosing their own partners or refusing arranged marriages. Village caste councils in certain regions regularly pass death sentences for persons who marry outside caste lines.

Child marriage remains prevalent despite legal prohibitions. Approximately 23.3% of women aged 20-24 were married before age 18. Early marriage denies girls education, increases health risks from early pregnancy, and perpetuates cycles of poverty and subordination.

Systemic challenges in addressing violations 🔗

Despite legislation such as the Protection of Women from Domestic Violence Act (2005), the Sexual Harassment of Women at Workplace Act (2013), and the Equal Remuneration Act (1976), implementation gaps persist. Conviction rates for crimes against women remain low, with rape conviction rates at 27.8% in 2022.

Authorities weaponized financial and investigation agencies to crack down on civil society organizations and human rights defenders working to protect women’s rights. Foreign Contribution Act licenses of at least seven NGOs were cancelled in 2024, preventing organizations from accessing essential funds for their work.

While registration of cases has increased, institutional fragmentation dilutes impact. Urban centers benefit disproportionately from support schemes while rural women remain dependent on poorly funded one-stop centers and overstretched district protection officers.

The role of patriarchal structures 🔗

The social, cultural and religious fabric of India is predominantly patriarchal, contributing to the secondary status of women. Deep-rooted societal norms devalue women’s work and position them as economic burdens rather than equal contributors to society. These beliefs manifest in lower wages for women, preference for male children, and tolerance of violence within domestic settings.

Women spend significantly more time on unpaid domestic work compared to men. A 2024 study showed women spend 301 minutes on unpaid domestic work compared to 98 minutes spent by men. This unrecognized labor widens gender inequality and limits women’s participation in paid employment and public life.

Moving toward solutions 🔗

Addressing violations of women’s rights requires multi-pronged approaches. Strengthening law enforcement and judicial systems to ensure swift justice is essential. Research shows that sex ratio and population density have significant associations with the occurrence of crimes against women, suggesting that interventions must consider regional variations and demographic factors.

Economic empowerment through equal pay for equal work, access to education and skills training, and support for women entrepreneurs can help break cycles of dependence and vulnerability. Challenging patriarchal norms through awareness campaigns, education, and media representation is equally important for long-term change.

What do you think? How can society shift from viewing women’s rights as separate issues to recognizing them as fundamental to human dignity and national progress? What role can individuals play in challenging the cultural practices and attitudes that perpetuate violations against women?

References

1. https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Violence_against_women_in_India
2. https://www.amnesty.org/en/location/asia-and-the-pacific/south-asia/india/report-india/
3. https://asiapacific.unwomen.org/en/stories/op-ed/2022/09/the-gender-pay-gap-hard-truths-and-actions-needed
4. https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Gender_pay_gap_in_India
5. https://indialeadersforsocialsector.com/gender-pay-parity-india-diverse-landscape/
6. https://www.smilefoundationindia.org/blog/the-biggest-elephant-in-the-room-indias-gender-pay-gap/
7. https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/20879612/
8. https://www.thelancet.com/journals/langlo/article/PIIS2214-109X(21)00094-2/fulltext
9. https://pmc.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/articles/PMC5441446/
10. https://idsn.org/wp-content/uploads/2025/03/AIDMAM-Factsheet-2024-Violence-again-women-Factsheet.pdf
11. https://data.unwomen.org/country/india
12. https://sprf.in/crimes-against-women-in-india-trends-challenges-and-policy-responses/
13. https://www.ibanet.org/rethinking-Indian-law-on-equal-pay-towards-gender-pay-equality-in-workplace/
14. https://www.frontiersin.org/journals/public-health/articles/10.3389/fpubh.2024.1362406/full