- ISSUES -
Introduction
Survival on the Land
Status of Women
Violence/Sexual Exploitation
Health
Caste
|
VIOLENCE AND SEXUAL EXPLOITATION
 Domestic
violence is the primary issue affecting the lives of many women. 58% of
women report violence on a daily basis. In rural areas women are slapped,
their hair pulled, and their bones broken. Abuses like these are accepted
practice. Combined with the low status of women, alcohol abuse and gambling
are often the triggers.
The government is doing nothing to discourage such practice,
and there are no laws against it Dalit women suffer a high incidence of
sexual violence from their kin and from authorities. Rape against Dalit
women—committed by higher caste men and even by the authorities—is common
as retribution for various perceived infractions. This form of abuse is
rarely prosecuted. Local authorities dismiss as false 30% of rape complaints
by Dalit women.
Poverty, ignorance and women’s low status and self-esteem
are contributing factors to the rising number of young women trafficked
to India’s brothels. 7,000-10,000 women and children are trafficked to
India every year. An estimated 100,000 Nepali women are sex workers there,
over 80% of them Dalits. The practice of untouchability does not apply
to sexual exploitation.
|
