Archive · 26 Sep 2025
Domestic Violence Act: Two Decades On, Challenges Remain
Imagine a law meant to protect women from harm at home.
This law has been around for a while, recognizing different types of abuse.
However, many women aren't aware of their rights or hesitate to report abuse due to social and economic fears.
Data shows that few seek help, and many cases are still stuck in court.
The law itself has a major gap: it doesn't consider marital rape a crime.
This means the law needs to be improved to fully protect women.
The Protection of Women from Domestic Violence Act was enacted two decades ago.
The Act recognizes physical, sexual, economic, and emotional abuse.
Many women are unaware of their rights or hesitant to report abuse.
Only 14% of women who suffered abuse sought help according to the National Family Health Survey-5 (2019-21).
Marital rape is not criminalized under the Act.
- Who
- Women and the Indian government
- What
- An assessment of the Protection of Women from Domestic Violence Act.
- When
- The Act was passed two decades ago; data cited from 2019-2025.
- Where
- India
- Why
- To assess the effectiveness of the Act and the challenges in implementation.
- Act Enactment Date
- Passed two decades ago
- Abuse Types Recognized
- Physical, sexual, economic, and emotional
- Women Seeking Help (NFHS-5)
- 14% of abused women
- Domestic Violence Complaints (2024)
- 24% of total complaints to National Commission for Women
- Pending Court Cases (2022)
- 4.71 lakh
- Marital Rape
- Not criminalized