Unravelling the Factors of Acceptance of Violence in Marriage by Women: Insights on Deficit of Reporting Cases of Domestic Violence in Empowered Action Group (EAG) and States of South India

Globally, 30% women, in a relationship, have been experiencing both physical and sexual violence by their intimate partners, particularly in the South-East Asian region. The grave reality of violence in marriage is the acceptance and justification of wife beating by women themselves. Recent cross-sectional studies have pointed out that a woman’s acceptance of wife abuse is related to her actual experience of being a victim, such that the victims of violence are perhaps more likely to justify the behaviour. This study analyses the role, if any, played by measures of women’s autonomy, access and freedom in impacting the acceptance of wife beating in marriage by women. This is undertaken in the background of different levels of human development attained in different groups of states in India. Two groups of states are identified: (a) one group of states represented by states of South India—scoring above national average figures in all parameters of human development including measures of gender empowerment. (b) Second group of states represented by the Empowered Action Group states—scoring lower than national average figures in all parameters of human development, including measures of gender empowerment. Indicators selected related to women’s access to microcredit, freedom of movement, ownership of assets, employment status and literacy levels. In addition, the proportion of households in a state in the lowest quintile also was selected as a factor of wealth. This study further analyses the role that acceptance of violence in marriage by women plays in explaining the deficit in reporting cases of domestic violence in the selected group of states.