'Astitva' Battles Domestic Violence

Abstract

In this paper I am going to discuss some important matters regarding domestic violence and women and support structures, both regarding the issue in general and our experiences in this field.

I experienced the trauma of violence when my nearest relative and friend became the victim of domestic violence. During that period I did not know that violence against women is a social problem and that's why I was affected by that incident for a long time. At last that particular case ended in a divorce. But then so many questions regarding the status of women in society arose in my mind for years together and when I read the famous Gujarati novel "Saat Paglaa Aakaashmaa - Seven Steps in the Sky" I suddenly realised that violence against women is an important issue regarding women's status and existence.