Women and Violence: A Human Rights Perspective

Abstract

India probably is the only nation in the world which exclusively enshrines female deities in artistically built temples. The Meenakshi temple at Madurai, Ambabai temple at Kolhapur and the Shantadurga and Mahalaxmi temples at Goa are ample proof of the Hindu reverence for female deities. India has also been proud of women's extraordinary ventures in the field of welfare, politics, art, literature and of late, sports. However, these women who forged themselves undauntedly in a male dominated milieu are exceptions. These women established their identity due to their special upbringing, push of circumstances, familial factors and the motivation of freedom fighters and reformers. India boasted of a woman prime minister. Currently too, we have women who have
made a mark for themselves in fields hitherto reserved exclusively for men, for example P.T. Usha, the sportswoman and Kiran Bedi, the Deputy Commissioner of Police.