Bideshini has been working ever since she graduated from school. Currently, she is enrolled in the Bachelor of Social Work programme at the Indira Gandhi National Open University (IGNOU). She recalls one of her fondest childhood memories-- when my picture was published in a magazine called Anteswara. She didn't know anything about what a camera was or what publishing was…

Bideshini Patel

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Women in India, especially in the rural belt still face acts of domestic violence at the hands of their spouses. According to an estimate, about 70 percent of women in India face such acts every year. 

Bideshini, our community correspondent from Odisha brings us this story from her region where cases of domestic violence against women continue. This is despite the presence of laws to discourage men from committing acts of domestic violence.

One such case is that of a woman (unidentified) who accused her husband of beating her up regularly and that he also claimed to not be the father of their child.

Another woman, named Sulochana from Odisha's Raikela village says that her husband abandoned her and is living with another woman. He also does not give her any financial support making it difficult for her to meet even her daily needs.

Taking note of domestic violence cases against Sulochana and other such women in her community, Bideshini filed three to four cases under the Protection of Women from Domestic Violence Act 2005.

However, there has been no progress in these cases. The law says that domestic violence cases need to be solved within 60 days of it being filed. However, as it usually takes more time than the stipulated period, cases of domestic violence continue to rise, said Saunti Lakda, Protection Officer of Odisha's Sundergarh district. Women do not approach the police or the courts as they feel that getting involved in the legal process would not help them get justice.

Domestic violence would not reduce unless the system moves faster to get survivors of domestic violence speedier justice.