The National Family Health Survey (NFHS-5) sheds light on the grim reality of violence against women in India, revealing that nearly 30% of women aged 18-49 have encountered physical violence since the age of 15, with 6% reporting sexual violence. This unsettling trend underscores the intricate interplay between violence, mental health, and homelessness, a phenomenon observed over three decades of engagement with homeless women at The Banyan.
Understanding the Dynamics
Personal Narratives
Structural Barriers and Agency:
“Madness” has been a tool to silence women who defy gender norms. From witch hunts to asylums, intellectual women were deemed mentally ill. In patriarchal societies, “womanhood” is rigidly defined, confining women to reproductive roles and accepting violence. Here, “madness” isn’t a personal failing, but a spectrum of responses to societal oppression.
Resistance and Redefinition: Some see “madness” as resistance, a chance to break free from imposed identities and forge new paths.
Seeking Refuge: Others use “madness” to construct alternate realities, finding solace and empowerment in narratives of power or elaborate rituals.
Introspection: For some, “madness” is a journey inward, using altered perceptions to explore alternative realities free from societal constraints.
These experiences expose the limitations of the “madness” label. It fails to capture the richness of women’s resistance against a system of control. “Madness” becomes a multifaceted response – survival strategies, personal transformation, and a fight for self-determination. By acknowledging its complexity, we move beyond labels and gain a deeper understanding of women’s struggles.
Beyond Labels: A Complex Narrative
The mainstream conversation on women’s mental health often focuses on diagnoses like depression or anxiety, neglecting the broader social context. These experiences deserve attention, but not in isolation. A crucial element missing is the impact of violence against women and how it contributes to mental distress.
Biomedical Bias and Systemic Neglect
Current mental health and social care systems often reflect this limited view. They focus on symptoms and diagnoses rather than the lived experiences of women. Poverty and marginalization further complicate access to proper care, increasing the risk of homelessness. Women often encounter a system dismissive of their reality, seeking to erase their experiences instead of addressing them.
Investing solely in access to care isn’t enough. We need a comprehensive approach that tackles the root causes of violence. This includes:
Early Intervention is Key
Research by Robert Sapolsky suggests our choices are shaped by early experiences: abuse, neglect, and poverty can leave lasting scars on the developing brain. Policies and interventions that reduce violence in childhood can have a profound impact.
The complex relationship between violence, mental health, and homelessness requires a nuanced understanding. We need:
Conclusion: The intricate web of violence, homelessness, and mental health among women in India demands multifaceted interventions addressing structural barriers while prioritizing survivors’ agency and lived experiences. By amplifying voices and embracing nuanced perspectives, we can work towards fostering environments of safety, support, and empowerment for vulnerable women across the nation.
Check for More Current Affairs
NFHS-5 is a comprehensive survey conducted in India to assess various aspects of health, including maternal and child health, nutrition, and violence against women.
Violence against women can lead to mental health conditions such as depression, anxiety, and post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD), increasing the risk of homelessness among affected individuals.
The Banyan is an organization that provides mental health and rehabilitation services to homeless women in India. Through its programs, it offers support to women experiencing mental health issues and homelessness.
The Indian Constitution contains provisions such as Article 14 (equality before law), Article 15 (prohibition of discrimination), Article 16 (equality of opportunity in employment), and Article 39 (ensuring equal pay for equal work), among others, aimed at promoting gender equality and protecting women's rights.
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