It is indeed heartwarming to know that Jammu and Kashmir and Ladakh have the lowest spousal violence rate in the country. According to the National Family Health Survey (NFHS-6), Jammu and Kashmir, with a 3.4 percent rate, figures at 34th place among the 35 states and union territories in the country. Ladakh, with 1.9 percent, ranks last in the list of states/UTs with spousal violence. Bihar tops the list with 36.1 percent, followed by Telangana with 30.8 percent. Uttar Pradesh and Tamil Nadu share the third place with a 28.5 percent rate. These are followed by Jharkhand, Pondicherry, and Andhra Pradesh. Spousal violence is defined as physical or sexual violence. The national average of spousal violence stands at 22.3 percent. This means that one in every five married women has experienced some form of spousal violence in the country. The survey reflects the positive trends in Jammu and Kashmir society. It shows the attitude of the people in marriage is changing. This is a reflection of how males look at females in our society. It also reflects the trend of how males are accepting women’s distinctive roles in society. A few years ago, Jammu and Kashmir was infamous for spousal violence. Wife beating, domestic violence, and other crimes were eating the vitals of our society. It was clearly evident in the NFHS-5 report. Nine percent of ever-married women aged 18-49 had experienced any form of physical violence committed by their husband, 4 percent had experienced any form of sexual violence committed by their husband, and 8 percent had experienced any form of emotional violence committed by their husband in the 2019-21 survey. However, within a few years, the spousal violence has dropped by more than 60 percent. Such a drop has even surprised the sociologists. Their doubts are not unfounded given the rising crimes against women. Data reveals that 3,405 cases related to different crimes against women were registered in 2020, 3,937 in 2021, and 3,716 in 2022.across Jammu and Kashmir. Jammu and Kashmir is a multi-cultural, multi-religious, and multilingual society. Most of the people still do not report domestic violence to the police. Most of the women stay in bad marriages, enduring abuse, just for the sake of family and society. It also has something to do with our situation. Thirty-five years of terrorism have torn apart the social fabric in Kashmir. Late marriages, infertility, and a depleting sex ratio have become rampant. Our divorce rates are among the highest in the country. In such a scenario, people, particularly women, endure abuse and violence to keep the family running. Having said so, the lowest spousal violence has spurred hope. For argument’s sake, people have a reason to boast about Kashmir society. Instead of going gung-ho about the numbers, we need to look within. Is it really true? There is no doubt that behind these rosy figures lie a dark underbelly. Let us not be ostriches. Let us try to reform.
Spousal violence
