Introduction:

November 25 is observed globally as the International Day for the Elimination of Violence against Women. It marks the beginning of the 16 Days of Activism against Gender-Based Violence, culminating on December 10. The 2025 global theme, “UNiTE to End Digital Violence against All Women and Girls,” signals a shift in the fight against gender-based violence (GBV). While traditional forms of violence persist, technology has created new frontiers—deepfakes, cyberstalking, doxxing, impersonation, sexual threats, and coordinated online harassment.

• • Violence against women remains one of the most persistent human rights violations worldwide. Despite decades of advocacy and legislation, its prevalence has barely declined. India mirrors this global trend. The country has strengthened its legislative framework, expanded institutional support, and integrated digital tools to prevent and address violence, yet the gaps are substantial. Understanding these dimensions is crucial for evaluating India’s progress and the way forward.

Trends of Violence against Women:

A new WHO report reviewing data from 168 countries (2000–2023) shows that violence against women remains pervasive.

Key findings include:

• • • 21% of Indian women aged 15–49 experienced intimate partner violence in 2023.
    • Almost 30% have faced such violence at least once in their lifetime.
    • Globally, around 840 million women—nearly one in three—have experienced sexual or partner violence.
    • 8.4% of women globally have faced non-partner sexual violence.
    • In India, this figure stands at around 4%.

The report warns that global progress is far too slow to meet SDG 5.2, which aims to eliminate all forms of violence against women by 2030. Funding levels add to the concern: in 2022, only 0.2% of global development aid went to violence-prevention programmes, and allocations fell further in 2025.

NCRB Data and Regional Trends:

According to the latest NCRB 2021 data:

• • • Crimes against women rose by 15.3% compared to the previous year.
    • The most reported categories were:
      • Cruelty by husband or relatives – 31.8%
      • Assault on women with intent to outrage modesty – 20.8%
      • Kidnapping and abduction – 17.6%
      • Rape – 7.4%
    • Assam recorded the highest rate of crime against women (168.3).
    • Uttar Pradesh reported the highest number of cases (56,083).
    • Among Union Territories, Delhi had the highest rate (147.6) and the highest number of registered cases.

Forms of Violence:

1. Domestic Violence

A pattern of behaviour used to control or dominate an intimate partner. It includes physical injury, emotional abuse, sexual coercion, economic deprivation, threats, and dowry harassment. It is one of the most common forms of violence worldwide.

2. Sexual Violence

Covers sexual harassment, molestation, forced sexual acts, and rape.

• • • Rajasthan recorded the highest rate of rape in 2021 (16.4).
    • Sexual harassment includes catcalling, inappropriate remarks, requests for favours, stalking, and exposing sexual organs.

“Rape culture” normalises harassment, blames victims, and trivialises sexual violence, rooted in patriarchal attitudes.

3. Femicide

Gender-motivated killing of women, including dowry deaths, intimate partner killings, and murders justified on cultural grounds.

4. Honour Killing

Murders of women or girls for actions perceived as bringing dishonour to the family, often linked to caste, marriage choices, or perceived sexual behaviour.

5. Human Trafficking

Millions of women and girls worldwide are trafficked for forced labour, sexual exploitation, and coercive practices.

6. Harmful Practices

• • • Female Genital Mutilation (FGM) categorised as violence by WHO, UNICEF and UNFPA in 1997.
    • Child Marriage still prevalent, violating global human rights norms.

7. Online and Technology-Facilitated Violence

This includes cyberstalking, non-consensual image sharing, deepfakes, identity theft, and digital surveillance. The 2025 theme reflects the growing urgency of addressing such violence.

Legal, Institutional, and Digital Interventions:

1. Legal Strengthening

Bharatiya Nyaya Sanhita (BNS), 2023

Replacing the IPC from July 2024, the BNS:

• • • Expands definitions of sexual offences.
    • Introduces life imprisonment for rape of minors under 18.
    • Mandates audio-video recording of victim statements.
    • Prioritises quicker trials in cases involving women and children.

Protection of Women from Domestic Violence Act (PWDVA), 2005

Defines any woman in a domestic relationship as an “aggrieved person.”

Covers:

• • • Physical abuse
    • Sexual abuse
    • Verbal/emotional abuse
    • Economic abuse
    • Dowry harassment

It provides civil remedies like protection orders, residence rights, and compensation.

POSH Act, 2013

Applies to all women, irrespective of age or sector of employment. Key features:

• • • Mandatory Internal Committees (ICs) for workplaces with 10+ employees.
    • Local Committees for unorganised sectors or small workplaces.
    • Inquiry completion within 90 days.
    • MWCD’s SHe-Box portal centralises online complaints and tracks progress.

2. Mission Shakti:

Mission Shakti brings safety (Sambal) and empowerment (Samarthya) schemes under one umbrella.

One Stop Centres (OSCs)

Operating since 2015, they provide:

• • • Police facilitation
    • Legal assistance
    • Medical help
    • Psychosocial counselling
    • Temporary shelter

They ensure a single-window support system for survivors facing violence.

Swadhar Greh Scheme

Supports women in difficult circumstances including:

• • • Homelessness due to violence or family breakdown
    • Mental distress
    • Social ostracism
    • Risk of trafficking

Offers shelter, counselling, training, and rehabilitation.

Stree Manoraksha Project

In partnership with NIMHANS, it trains OSC staff in handling survivors’ mental-health needs sensitively.

3. Helplines and Emergency Support

• • Women Helpline (181): 24×7 support across India.
  • NCW Helpline (7827170170): Provides police, medical, and legal referrals.
  • ERSS (112): Integrated nationwide emergency number covering police, fire, and ambulance.
  • WhatsApp helpline (7217735372): Launched during the pandemic for quick access.

4. Digital Tools for Faster Investigation and Monitoring

Investigation Tracking System for Sexual Offences (ITSSO)

Real-time tracking of police investigations ensures timely completion and accountability.

National Database on Sexual Offenders (NDSO)

A central registry of convicted sexual offenders, enabling better identification of repeat offenders and preventive policing.

Crime Multi-Agency Centre (Cri-MAC)

Operational since 2020, it supports instant nationwide sharing of information on heinous crimes across all states and UTs.

5. Institutional Mechanisms for Justice Delivery

National Commission for Women (NCW)

A statutory body (est. 1992) mandated to:

• • • Review constitutional and legal safeguards
    • Recommend law amendments
    • Address complaints of rights violations
    • Run digital and legal awareness programmes
    • Drive initiatives such as Digital Shakti

State Commissions for Women operate with similar responsibilities at the state level.

Fast Track Special Courts (FTSCs)

Set up under the Nirbhaya Fund to speed up cases of rape and POCSO offences.

As of August 2025:

• • • 773 FTSCs are functional
    • 400 are exclusive POCSO courts
    • Over 3,34,213 cases have been disposed of

Women Help Desks (WHDs)

Located in police stations for sensitive, survivor-friendly reporting.

• • • As of February 2025, 14,658 WHDs are operational across India.

Digital Safety and Capacity-Building Initiatives:

Digital Shakti Campaign

A flagship NCW programme that:

• • • Trains women and girls in digital literacy
    • Builds awareness about cyber-safety
    • Helps users identify and report online abuse
    • Promotes legal and psychological support resources

It aligns directly with the 2025 global theme on combating digital violence.

Conclusion:

The 2025 observance of the International Day for the Elimination of Violence against Women comes at a critical moment. Traditional forms of violence remain widespread, while new digital threats target women in ways unimaginable a decade ago. India has made substantial progress, yet the challenge is far from over. High prevalence, slow behavioural change, social stigma, underreporting, and rising cyber-abuse illustrate the need for continuous action. Combating violence requires not only reforms and schemes but a wider cultural shift that upholds dignity, autonomy, and equality for every woman and girl both offline and online.