This issue is something that as policy makers we need to address because we are in a position where we can change the lives of the vulnerable and we must in situations where victims are voiceless. As addressed these issues can only stop when there is a bottom top approach than the traditional methods. We need a more decentralised approach to governance and concrete solutions that would be long term to such problems. India as a country has a huge patriarchal base because of which many people feel that a husband torturing their wives is something that he is allowed to because they are married and have a legal control over their wives. Unless we have a behavioural change in the society where from the beginning there is no distinction between a girl or boy and where both of them are treated equally we can think of a better society in future. Education has the power to make or break the character of a nation and we must strive to educate every citizen about gender equality. Secondly we must understand that women have the power to contribute to a country’s GDP just as men are qualified to and reports state that if given an opportunity it could increase to 26%. We need more jobs for women that can help them to support themselves financially and not depend on anyone including their own parents. Coming to immediate solutions to the issue, there is a need for increasing helpline numbers and therapists who would help these women to get out if such a trauma. We also need a strict law against the partners who involved in such a horrendous crime of making their partners feel inferior and by giving them such a lot of mental and physical torture. In such cases neighbours also should be made aware of households where it is a daily routine and they must bang doors, shout or immediately inform the police so that the perpetrator knows that he is being watched and serious action would be taken. If we do not let the people know that we have a strict law system, they would feel that they would not be harmed if they continue and they are allowed to. We need more wards where people can go tell their concern without the fear of not getting justice. Even in such places we need more learned civil service officers who will go to any extent to save such lives. Though alcohol consumption should not be banned but it surely can be controlled. Another paradox to this is the belief that this happens only in rural areas and urban areas are free of such situations. But we fail to understand that this happens all across irrespective of which region you live in even in the most educated houses and in such a case the victim usually remains shut because then the question rises about her reputation and what people would think. We need to understand that India is a country of 1.3 billion people and we may be witnessing only a small portion of domestic violence. Since beginning when women are treated this way people feel it’s the another normal and that is the same values they give their children. A girl since birth is made to feel that she would grow up to be a slave to another man and they need to obey as they say even if it causes them pain they must suffer because that is their fate. This is something that needs to change. We need policies where women are educated compulsorily and where there are more women in the field and can work for the welfare of every woman in the country and where they can stand on their own feet. Reservations where women can represent themselves. We need to approach each victim and know their stories so we can bring out solutions to each of them and justice is served. The word Public Policy emerged because of the issues the society faced and we are entitled to all of them for every issue that citizens face. They look up to people in such fields with hope to bring them out of such hopelessness and I believe that once such issues are addressed and with the right policy, that day is not far when every woman will have a say in the way she wants to live her own life and will walk free with no one having a hold on her.
1709-11