NEW DELHI – Nearly one in four women in India experienced intimate partner violence in 2023, according to a new study published in ‘The Lancet.’ The report estimates that 23 per cent of women aged 15 and above faced physical or sexual abuse by current or former partners. Childhood sexual violence is also alarmingly high, with more than 30 per cent of women and 13 per cent of men reporting such experiences.

The consequences of these forms of violence are severe, contributing to long-term mental and physical health issues, including depression, anxiety, chronic illnesses, and even premature death. Experts from the All India Institute of Medical Sciences in New Delhi and Gorakhpur, the Post Graduate Institute of Medical Education and Research in Chandigarh, and the ICMR-National Institute for Research in Tuberculosis in Chennai emphasized the need for urgent action.

“These figures highlight the critical need for preventive measures, stronger legal frameworks, gender equality initiatives, and expanded support services for survivors,” the researchers said. They added that tackling violence against women and children is “not only a human rights imperative but also a public health priority that can save lives and build resilient communities.”

Globally, the report found that over 608 million women aged 15 and above experienced intimate partner violence. Childhood sexual abuse affects more than a million women worldwide. The highest prevalence rates are concentrated in South Asia and sub-Saharan Africa, where limited healthcare infrastructure and legal protections exacerbate the impacts of violence.

Even high-income countries face substantial challenges, with intimate partner and sexual violence ranking among the leading risk factors for disease burden, particularly for adults aged 15-49. Contributing factors such as substance abuse and noncommunicable diseases intensify the health impacts in these regions.

The study calls for coordinated efforts at both national and global levels to prevent violence, support survivors, and address its long-term health consequences. (IANS)

with indiawest