Book on violence against women in Bihar released

By Matters India Reporter

Patna, Nov 1, 2021: A Jesuit research institute in Patna on November 1 published a book dealing with violence against women in Bihar.

Srikant, director of Jagjivan Institute of Parliamentary Study and Research in Patna, released the book, “Violence against Women in Bihar,” jointly published by Xavier Institute of Social Research and Janaki Prakashan.

The research based work authored by Bharati Shukla, former research fellow of the Jesuit institute is the 7th book under documentary study on Human Rights in Bihar Series.

Srikant, who was the chief guest, described the book as another valuable addition to Bihar study. “I congratulate XISR and its director (Jesuit Father) Jose Kalapura for leading research and publication of books, especially on the vulnerable sections of Bihar,” he said.

Explaining the findings of the study, Shukla said the cases of violence against women continue to rise in Bihar.

“Harassment cases against women have emerged as a major problem in Bihar these days, and the State capital Patna has earned the infamous distinction of being on the top as far as the cases related to atrocities against women are concerned,” she added.

Women’s Helpline service reported 474 cases against violence on women in Bihar in 2019, with Patna recording the highest number of 85 rape cases until September 2019, she said.

Despite the talks of women safety to be ensured by the state administration, harassment cases against women are constantly being reported from different parts of the state, she added.

Commenting on the book, the discussant Shakil Ahmad, assistant professor Chanakya National University, said violence against women is deeply rooted in the sociocultural mindset of society. Inequality between men and women in society is the result of patriarchy which values men more than women. Hence, the justification for low status of women in society, he said.

Kalpana Kumari, assistant professor of St. Xavier’s College of Management and Technology, said the author has compiled cases of one year in one book and analysed each form of violence against women from eve teasing to rape, from dowry death to human trafficking.

It is an eye opener for all of us including academia, public authorities, and general public, she said.

“The book recommends that as each pillar of society–family, education system, government authorities, corporate organisation and judiciary–all need to come together to tackle this problem, promote education among women and establish proper law and order situation for the safety of women in Bihar,” Kumari said.

Earlier, welcoming the guests, Father Kalapura said the book is the 46th publication of his research institute.