Aruna Soni: The spectrum of violence against women: an obstacle to survival & empowerment

“Gender is the relative status of man and woman in a given society. It is culture-specific and the gender roles ascribed to man and woman in our society are coloured by attitudinal predisposition. This social psyche, developed over a long period, has led to the exploitation of women. gender is the relative status of man and woman in a given society. It is culture-specific and the gender roles ascribed to man and woman in our society are coloured by attitudinal predisposition. This social psyche, developed over a long period, has led to the exploitation of women.”

“The oppression of women within the family structure is invisible, because it takes place within the four walls of the home, and it is treated as family or a private matter. The denial of the rights of women within the family is because the problems of women within the family get personalised. Thereby, women are forced to fight their battles within the domestic sphere all alone. This individualisation of social problem is a part of the social values that govern our society.”

From 1996:

"The Spectrum Of Violence Against Women: An Obstacle To Survival And Empowerment – Keynote Address

 In this presentation I will outline the general situation of women in Indian society, focusing on education, health, economics, and crimes against women. I will describe some of the forms of violence against women commonly found in India, e.g., wife beating, female infanticide, dowry deaths, sati, sexual harassment, and prostitution, and will examine social structures which give rise to violence. I will then highlight responses of the state; legislative, executive, and judicial.

In the second part of my presentation I will propose measures to prevent violence against women in India; for example, consciousness raising programmes and government economic development programmes, protective measures, especially law reform and reform of state institutions such as the police, and provisional measures particularly directed at increasing women's participation in decision-making processes and monitoring state actions.

Aruna has worked in the area of support at the Centre for nine years, and is a campaigner and activist, as well as being responsible for dealing with the media. The areas she is interested in publicising are those concerning women, communalism, and other social issues. Aruna’s main research is on state responses to violence."

 

Please be aware this recording ends abruptly, and the remainder is lost.