Young couples, professionals turn more vulnerable

Hyderabad: Brag all you want about the city, but Hyderabad that boasts itself of being a world-class metro, cuts a sorry figure when it comes to keeping a check on the regressive atmosphere prevailing within the confines of four walls. Cruelty against women in the name of domestic violence is on the rise and sadly among young couples, who are professionals and educated.

Harassment reports are pouring throughout the city - A week ago a man from Chittoor harassed his wife Shailaja on their wedding night when she confided to her mother about his impotence and recently, on Sunday a similar case was filed by another woman in the city.According to officials of Domestic Violence wing at the Collectorate, women from Software field fall prey to domestic violence due to joblessness of husbands and medical issues.

The domestic violence cell also claimed that 30 per cent of married men are unfit for marital life. This year 457 cases of domestic violence were filed till date as against 478 cases that were filed in 2016. Given the likelihood of the growing rate, it seems highly likely that the number this year may exceed that of the previous.

An official from Domestic Violence wing at the Collectoratesaid, “Earlier, husband-wife used to stay with each other for longer duration given that only one partner would work a job. Now-a-days, both partners are working, and they spend less time with each other.Earlier the fights in the marital life would arise lack of money and luxuries in one’s life.

These days most of the domestic violence cases are from software field and partners have difference of opions, ego clashes, one may be jobless and that person is the husband then it becomes a volcano threatening to erupt.”

“We provide counselling to the partners at times and they change their attitude; if not we send them to the court. However, according to our data, cases of domestic violence occur due because men are unfit for marriage (30 per cent) and that they are unemployed (15 per cent). Most of the complainants are in the age group of 25-40 years and in newly married couples,” said the officials.

The Sustainable Development Goals seek to change the course of the 21st century, addressing challenges such as poverty, inequality, and violence against women and girls.Women’s empowerment is a pre-condition for this.Therefore, achieving gender equality and women’s empowerment is a stand-alone goal—Goal 5—of the SDGs.

It is also part of all the other goals, with many targets specifically recognising women’s equality and empowerment as both the objective, and as part of the solution.Deep legal and legislative changes are needed to ensure women’s rights and leadership around the world.

By SravanthiSanam