trol and Prevention stated that about one in every six women have been sexually assaulted at some time in their lifetime in the U.S. This is an overwhelming figure as U.S.A is one of the most progressive societies of the world and has least restrictions on women in terms of their independence and decision making.

One advantage that women in liberal societies have over women in conservative societies is that they are free to speak about the violence and assaults faced by them. In many cultures women are considered "carrier of prestige" for the family and are under immens

"Violence against women both violates and impairs or nullifies the enjoyment by women of their human rights and fundamental freedoms... In all societies, to a greater or lesser degree, women and girls are subjected to physical, sexual and psychological abuse that cuts across lines of income, class and culture."

-Beijing Declaration and Platform for Action, paragraph 112

Gender-based-violence and discrimination is one of the deep rooted problem as well as human rights concern all over the world. The declaration on the Elimination of Violence against Women (1993) defines violence against women as "any act of gender-based violence that results in, or is likely to result in, physical, sexual or mental harm or suffering to women, including threats of such acts, coercion or arbitrary deprivation of liberty, whether occurring in public or in private life."

Violence against women takes many forms- sexual assault / rape, domestic violence, psychological, emotional, physical and social abuse. Of which sexual violence/ rape and domestic violence are most prevalent.

As a result of restricted rights reserved for women in our society, women face exploitation in almost every country despite the development index. According to the World Health Organization, between 12 percent and 25 percent of women around the world have experienced sexual violence at some time in their lives. And the surprising fact is that they can encounter exploitation at any stage of their lives- in infancy/childhood, adulthood/reproductive or older age.

It seems that gender-based-violence serves to perpetuate male power and control in the society. And may be this is the reason why almost every society nurtures subjugation of women. Studies on violence against women have indicated that :-

* Women are at greater risk of violence as compared to men;

* Women and girls are the most frequent victims of violence within the family and between intimate partners

* Social institutions put in place to protect citizens too often blame or ignore battered women.

The situation is more or less the same everywhere, be it a society where women are independent and have almost all the rights or be it a culture where women are not even permitted to talk to strangers. Federal Centers for Disease Control and Prevention stated that about one in every six women have been sexually assaulted at some time in their lifetime in the U.S. This is an overwhelming figure as U.S.A is one of the most progressive societies of the world and has least restrictions on women in terms of their independence and decision making.

One advantage that women in liberal societies have over women in conservative societies is that they are free to speak about the violence and assaults faced by them. In many cultures women are considered "carrier of prestige" for the family and are under immense

efines violence against women as "any act of gender-based violence that results in, or is likely to result in, physical, sexual or mental harm or suffering to women, including threats of such acts, coercion or arbitrary deprivation of liberty, whether occurring in public or in private life."

Violence against women takes many forms- sexual assault / rape, domestic violence, psychological, emotional, physical and social abuse. Of which sexual violence/ rape and domestic violence are most prevalent.

As a result of restricted rights reserved for women in our society, women face exploitation in almost every country despite the development index. According to the World Health Organization, between 12 percent and 25 percent of women around the world have experienced sexual violence at some time in their lives. And the surprising fact is that they can encounter exploitation at any stage of their lives- in infancy/childhood, adulthood/reproductive or older age.

It seems that gender-based-violence serves to perpetuate male power and control in the society. And may be this is the reason why almost every society nurtures subjugation of women. Studies on violence against women have indicated that :-

* Women are at greater risk of violence as compared to men;

* Women and girls are the most frequent victims of violence within the family and between intimate partners

* Social institutions put in place to protect citizens too often blame or ignore battered women.

The situation is more or less the same everywhere, be it a society where women are independent and have almost all the rights or be it a culture where women are not even permitted to talk to strangers. Federal Centers for Disease Control and Prevention stated that about one in every six women have been sexually assaulted at some time in their lifetime in the U.S. This is an overwhelming figure as U.S.A is one of the most progressive societies of the world and has least restrictions on women in terms of their independence and decision making.

One advantage that women in liberal societies have over women in conservative societies is that they are free to speak about the violence and assaults faced by them. In many cultures women are considered "carrier of prestige" for the family and are under immens

women face exploitation in almost every country despite the development index. According to the World Health Organization, between 12 percent and 25 percent of women around the world have experienced sexual violence at some time in their lives. And the surprising fact is that they can encounter exploitation at any stage of their lives- in infancy/childhood, adulthood/reproductive or older age.

It seems that gender-based-violence serves to perpetuate male power and control in the society. And may be this is the reason why almost every society nurtures subjugation of women. Studies on violence against women have indicated that :-

* Women are at greater risk of violence as compared to men;

* Women and girls are the most frequent victims of violence within the family and between intimate partners

* Social institutions put in place to protect citizens too often blame or ignore battered women.

The situation is more or less the same everywhere, be it a society where women are independent and have almost all the rights or be it a culture where women are not even permitted to talk to strangers. Federal Centers for Disease Control and Prevention stated that about one in every six women have been sexually assaulted at some time in their lifetime in the U.S. This is an overwhelming figure as U.S.A is one of the most progressive societies of the world and has least restrictions on women in terms of their independence and decision making.

One advantage that women in liberal societies have over women in conservative societies is that they are free to speak about the violence and assaults faced by them. In many cultures women are considered "carrier of prestige" for the family and are under immens

n. Studies on violence against women have indicated that :-

* Women are at greater risk of violence as compared to men;

* Women and girls are the most frequent victims of violence within the family and between intimate partners

* Social institutions put in place to protect citizens too often blame or ignore battered women.

The situation is more or less the same everywhere, be it a society where women are independent and have almost all the rights or be it a culture where women are not even permitted to talk to strangers. Federal Centers for Disease Control and Prevention stated that about one in every six women have been sexually assaulted at some time in their lifetime in the U.S. This is an overwhelming figure as U.S.A is one of the most progressive societies of the world and has least restrictions on women in terms of their independence and decision making.

One advantage that women in liberal societies have over women in conservative societies is that they are free to speak about the violence and assaults faced by them. In many cultures women are considered "carrier of prestige" for the family and are under immens

trol and Prevention stated that about one in every six women have been sexually assaulted at some time in their lifetime in the U.S. This is an overwhelming figure as U.S.A is one of the most progressive societies of the world and has least restrictions on women in terms of their independence and decision making.

One advantage that women in liberal societies have over women in conservative societies is that they are free to speak about the violence and assaults faced by them. In many cultures women are considered "carrier of prestige" for the family and are under immense pressure to preserve their sexuality. Sadly enough if face sexual assault or violence they are prohibited to disclose their afflictions in order to save their family from infamy. They are sometimes even blamed or punished for bringing in social disgrace. For instance a year back, in India a Muslim women was raped by her father-in-law. As soon as the issue came out in media, her own fellow community people abandoned her. Not only this, a local religious community said that she cannot remain married to her husband and should marry or live with her rapist because her piousness has been maligned. In fact some declared her mother of her own husband. Women who against all odds came out to speak about the assault was not only denied of her right to justice but also forced to act against her own will and dignity.

In some cultures, girls are taught to tolerate the violence and mishaps since the childhood. Few go to the extent of condoning or giving legal sanction to "crime behind the door"( domestic violence). In Northern Nigeria, for example, Section 55 of the Penal Code allows a husband to discipline his wife so long as the action does not amount to the “infliction of grievous hurt.”

Changing people's attitude and mentality towards women will take a long time. However, in recent years many nations have taken significant steps towards improving laws relating to violence against women. Nevertheless, raising awareness of the issue of violence, and educating men and boys to view women as valuable partners in life, in the development of a society are just as important as taking legal steps to protect women human rights.

A huge public awareness campaign is also required to destroy the myths and dogmas that perpetuate violence-"women have no rights to independence because of their sexuality";" women are the weaker sex"; "women who dress provocatively are asking to be raped"; "women should sit at home"; "to maintain her dignity women should not talk about or fight against any violence that happened to her".