Violence against women in South Asia: The need for the active engagement of the health sector

Abstract

Intimate partner violence is pervasive in South Asia, yet married women's experiences regarding seeking help when faced with intimate partner violence and the health sector response remain largely unexplored. This commentary reviews the available published and unpublished literature and summarises what is known about the prevalence of marital violence against women and violence-related care-seeking experienced by women in this region. The commentary highlights that between one-fifth and one-half of married women are affected by violence perpetrated by their husband in South Asia, violence starts early in a marriage and the health consequences are wide ranging and long lasting. Yet, very few women seek support from the health sector, and the health system is not proactive in identifying and supporting women at risk. A greater commitment to making the health system responsive to women in distress is essential and should be undertaken with the same level of commitment given to prevention programmes.

Keywords:

• marital violence
• health care providers
• help-seeking
• domestic violence laws
• South Asia

Acknowledgements

This commentary has benefited hugely from the input of many. We would also like to acknowledge with much appreciation the contributions of two of our colleagues in the preparation of this manuscript. MA Jose conducted a search of the literature relating to our topic, and identified many of the articles and papers that make up this review. Komal Saxena was responsible for managing the preparation of this report/manuscript; we are grateful to her for her editorial contribution and her meticulous attention to detail, which have made the commentary more readable.

Funding

We are grateful for support from the UK Government Department for International Development [grant number 5580], the David and Lucile Packard Foundation [grant number 2004-27555], the John D. and Catherine T. MacArthur Foundation [grant number 05-84955-000-GSS], and the Richard and Flora Hewlett Foundation [grant number 2005-6492] to the Population Council, which covered the time spent by authors on this review.

Additional information

Funding

Funding: We are grateful for support from the UK Government Department for International Development [grant number 5580], the David and Lucile Packard Foundation [grant number 2004-27555], the John D. and Catherine T. MacArthur Foundation [grant number 05-84955-000-GSS], and the Richard and Flora Hewlett Foundation [grant number 2005-6492] to the Population Council, which covered the time spent by authors on this review.