Daijiworld Media Network – Bengaluru (MS)

Bengaluru, May 29: For women in Karnataka, freedom from domestic violence is still a distant dream. Though they have progressed a lot in different sectors, the cases of torture and harassment are increasing.

According to Pramila Naidu, president of State Women’s Commission, from March 2020, 1072 cases of domestic violence, 221 dowry harassment cases and 22 dowry related deaths are registered by women in Karnataka.

The commission for women has also received 27 rape cases, 67 sexual harassment cases, 208 harassment at work place and 160 cases related to property. Pramila Naidu said that in total she has received 4762 cases of harassment on women from March 2020.

According to the National Health Survey-5, 73.4% women in the age group of 15 to 49 are well educated in Karnataka. In the same age group, 35.1% are employed. But the atrocities on women are continuing.

Regarding reasons for the increase in harassment of women, Pramila Naidu says, “Many of the victims of domestic violence are not educated and financial not independent. So they continue to compromise. They are living under pressure for the sake of the future of their children. The other reason is the stigma that is attached to divorce in our society. So whenever I visit schools and colleges, I take an oath from them that they will get married only after they become financially independent."

“During Covid lockdown, cases of atrocities on women increased considerably. That too, during the first wave, women faced enormous pressure. Everyday the commission used to receive 40 to 50 calls. Men were frustrated due to prohibition of alcohol and they used to vent their anger on women.”

Dr Smitha Segu, head of plastic surgery department in Victoria Hospital says that everyday six cases of burning of women were occurring in the city of Bengaluru due to harassment by family members.