TITLE:

THE DUAL ACTTACK OF CASTE AND CLASS RELATED VIOLENCE AGAINT

WOMEN ; UNDERSTANDING IT IN A INTERSECTIONAL APPROACH
 ABSTRACT
Abuse against women is a widespread problem around the world, with many women
experiencing not only abuse but also inadequate legal assistance. Different communities
experience this violence differently because of caste, class, and ethnicity, complicating their
ability to seek justice. Intersectionality is a significant idea that describes how many social
identities (such as race and gender) intersect to give people unique experiences. For example,
a Muslim lady from a scheduled caste may experience numerous layers of discrimination.
Domestic abuse, sexual assault, and economic exploitation are some of the many types of
violence against women. Understanding these kinds is critical for providing effective
assistance and reducing violence worldwide.

Women from lower castes face targeted violence and legal neglect in nations such as India,
Bangladesh, and Nepal, which are largely based in patriarchal societies. Despite laws meant
to protect women, many incidents go unpunished, and abusers are occasionally honored or
defended by their communities. Women are also affected by class-related violence, with
those from lower socioeconomic origins facing additional obstacles such as workplace
harassment and home violence. Many people are unable to leave abusive relationships due to
economic dependence on their partners. The court system frequently fails to protect
marginalized women owing to bias, delays, and a lack of enforcement, resulting in recurring
abuse. To ameliorate the situation, improvements to existing laws must be amended to
ameliorate the situation, such as boosting legal support for victims, increasing police
accountability, and assuring protection for informal sector workers. Women can be
empowered by aligning national laws with international standards and offering educational
materials on their legal rights. It is critical to build a society in which all women have equal
access to justice and resources while remaining free of abuse and discrimination.
Comprehensive legal and policy reforms, together with economic independence, are required
for long-term [Link] this research I will be explaining how Intersectionality and
VAW cause problems in women lifestyle .

KEYWORDS: Intersectionality, Domestic Violence ,Violence Against Women (VAW),

Caste, Class Etc.
INTRODUCTION

Violence against women has seen extreme turns in the current era [Link] women around the
world not only face violence but also lack a proper legal framework as a solution for such
violence. Violence against women is a pressing issue, but many women around the world
face this issue differently2. Women communities that differ due to differences in their caste,
class, ethnicity, etc. Face an additional coat of discrimination, which leads to hardship in
getting [Link] are different reasons for violence against women such as the patriarchal
societal system, low education, power, privilege, and structural inequality 4. This is where
Intersectionality steps in.

 Intersectionality

Intersectionality is a big word with a simple meaning that has high effects on women
worldwide. Kimberlé Crenshaw was the first person to coin the word Intersectionality.5.
Intersectionality is a theoretical framework rooted in the premise that human experience is
jointly shaped by multiple social positions (e.g., race, gender) and cannot be adequately
understood by considering social positions independently6. To put it in simple words, a
human being consists of many traits, and these traits give a person some pros and cons. For
example, a Muslim woman who belongs to a scheduled caste has layers of traits that make
her personality have benefits or losses based on religion, gender, and caste. [1]

 Different types of Violence against women (VAW)

1
Mona Lena Krook & Juliana Restrepo Sanín, The Cost of Doing Politics? Analyzing Violence and Harassment
Against Female Politicians, 18 PERSPS. ON POL. 740, 755 (2019),
[Link]
2
Charlotte Watts & Cathy Zimmerman, Violence Against Women: Global Scope and Magnitude, 359 LANCET
1232, 1237 (2002), [Link]
3
Brandi Blessett, Black Women Been Knew: Understanding Intersectionality to Advance Justice J. SOC.
EQUITY & PUB. ADMIN. (2023).
4
Kanchan Chauhan, Gender Inequality: The Effect of Patriarchy, in GENDER INEQUALITY IN THE PUBLIC
SECTOR IN PAKISTAN 6, 22 (Palgrave Macmillan ed., 2014), [Link]
5
. Anna Carastathis, The Concept of Intersectionality in Feminist Theory, 9 PHIL. COMPASS 304 (2014),
[Link] Anna Carastathis, The Concept of Intersectionality in Feminist Theory, 9
PHIL. COMPASS 304, 314 (2014), [Link]
6
Greta Bauer et al., Intersectionality in Quantitative Research: A Systematic Review of Its Emergence and
Applications of Theory and Methods, 14 SSM - POPUL. HEALTH 100798 (2021),
[Link]
Violence against women is a multifaceted issue that includes intimate partner violence,
sexual violence, political violence, cultural practices, and economic exploitation. Each type
of violence has unique characteristics and impacts, requiring tailored approaches for
prevention and intervention.

Understanding the complexity and interconnections of these forms of violence is essential for
developing comprehensive strategies to support victims and reduce the prevalence of
violence against women globally7 8 9 10 11
. This article sheds light on how women around the
world and in India suffer due to a lack of Intersectionality in the justice or legal system and
provides suggestions for some reform to tackle the issue of a lack of an intersectional legal
framework

UNFOLDING LAYERS OF INTERSECTIONAL DISCRIMINATION

This section explains different types of intersectional discrimination based on caste and class,
which overlap with gender and lead to violence against women, lack of legal framework, and
some suggestions for reforms in policies.

 CASTE-RELATED VIOLENCE AGAINST WOMEN

Reasons for caste –related violence against women

Caste-based violence has taken root in countries like India, Bangladesh, and Nepal12.
13
Women from lower castes have been suffering from targeted violence, sexual violence,
legal negligence, etc. The one common aspect in the above countries is that the country's
social environment is patriarchal based.14 This patriarchal system not only leads to sexual

7
Charlotte Watts & Cathy Zimmerman, Violence Against Women: Global Scope and Magnitude, 359 LANCET
1232, 1237 (2002), [Link]
8
Barbara Krahé, Violence Against Women, 19 CURR. OPIN. PSYCHOL. 6, 10 (2018),
[Link]
9
Terry Nelson, Violence Against Women, 9 WOWATCH 33, 38 (1996),
[Link]
10
Mona Lena Krook & Juliana Restrepo Sanín, The Cost of Doing Politics? Analyzing Violence and Harassment
Against Female Politicians, 18 PERSPS. ON POL. 740, 755 (2019),
[Link]
11
John Briere & Cheryl Jordan, Violence Against Women, 19 J. INTERPERSONAL VIOLENCE 1252, 1276
(2004), [Link]
12
Anwesha Datta & Sangeeta Satija, Women, Development, Caste, and Violence in Rural Bihar, India, 26
ASIAN J. WOMEN’S STUD. 223, 244 (2020), [Link]
13
Bhupender Kumar & Sangeeta Sipra, Mapping Caste, Class and Gender Dynamics through the Lens of
Disability: A Study of Contemporary India, 73 EASTERN ANTHROPOLOGIST 251, 277 (2020).
14
Sangeeta Satija, Violence Against Women in Rural Bihar: A Case of Four Villages, INST. FOR HUMAN
DEV. WORKING PAPER 03 (2013), at 1.
offenses but also leads to female feticides. 15. Despite many reforms and such as 'The
Scheduled and Scheduled Tribes (Prevention of Atrocities) Act' many cases remain unheard
unpunished. 16. The atrocities of society is that the culprit of such offence sometime are
honored for there doing that is the person who violates a right of women is given special
respect or is protected by some specific part of society. 17. According to the National
Commission for Women, "offenders attempt to establish their authority and degrade the
community by subjecting their women to indecent and inhuman treatment, including sexual
assault, parading naked, using filthy language, etc., when they commit offences against
scheduled caste [Dalit] women." Therefore, the primary result of gender-based disparities
formed and exacerbated by the caste system is violence, which is a vital social mechanism to
uphold Dalit women's subordinate status in society18. Strong patriarchal ideals prevent
women from reporting the issues they confront.; for example, in India, it is still believed by
many women that it is ok if a husband beats his wife to indulge in any sort of domestic
violence. 19Women face major problems economically too.20 .

Examples and some real life case

While women working in organized systems may get their true wages however women in
unorganized sectors o not have the same conditions with low or almost no wages there is no
sense of security either in a social sense or in an economic sense. There have been cases
where women working as house help are beaten 21whereas women from marginalized areas
are still treated like untouchables. After all this, if women from lower caste gather strength
from the atrocities they suffer the justice system starts to make a mockery of their
[Link] are a heinous crime against women but when they meet with castes'
prejudice it takes a different turn; sometimes people from the same community try to get out

15
V. R. Bhujbal, Dalit Women: Poverty, Gender, and Caste-Based Discrimination in India, 11 KNOWLEDGE
RESONANCE J. 67, 89 (2022).
16
Sharma, S., Caste-Based Crimes and Economic Status: Evidence from India, 43 J. Comp. Econ. 789, 812
(2015)..
17
V. R. Bhujbal, Dalit Women: Poverty, Gender, and Caste-Based Discrimination in India, 11 KNOWLEDGE
RESONANCE J. 67, 89 (2022).
18
J.P. Mangubhai & J.G. Lee, Dalit Women Speak Out: Caste, Class, and Gender Violence in India (Int’l Dalit
Solidarity Network 2006)
19
Sundeep Mangat, Sexual Violence Against Dalit Women in India: Navigating Discourses of Honour, Shame,
and Marriage (unpublished Ph.D. dissertation, Roehampton Univ. 2022).
20
N. Mathur, Paper Tiger: Law, Bureaucracy and the Developmental State in Himalayan India (2016),
[Link]

21
[Link]
22
Sharma, S. (2015) ‘Caste-based crimes and economic status: Evidence from India’, Journal of Comparative
Economics, 43(4), pp. 789-812
of the legal hands or sometimes are saved after doing such heinous crime. I mentioned above
sometimes the criminal is saved due to their higher position in the caste system of society
Hathras gang rape case is one example of the above. A 19-year-old girl on 14th September
2020, in the Boolgarhi village in Hathras in the state of Uttar Pradesh was reportedly attacked
by four upper caste men from her village 23. The girl was of Dalit community .She was
critically injured and was admitted to the hospital along with an FIR filed for the attempt to
murder. On September 22 when she regained consciousness at the hospital, she gave her
statement to the police, telling them that she was raped along with naming all four of her
rapists. She died few days later at another hospital in Delhi. The death of the 19-year-old
from her injuries and the mishandling of her case by the state police already gave her case
enough attention24. Coupled with this was the fact that she was a Dalit, a Scheduled Caste in
India25. The victim body was forcefully cremated by the police officials. Judicial biasness was
also seen in this [Link] main barriers for such cases to get justice are the justice system
itself. First of all people don’t file case due undue influence of upper caste offender but when
they does the police refuse to file take the case or firs 27. When cases are taken they are stuck
in judicial proceeding causing low rate of conviction 28. Many do not report due to social
stigma while Survivors and their families often face social boycotts, honor killings, and economic
retaliation29. [2]

 CLASS RELATED VOLIENCE AGAISNT WOMEN

Reasons for class related violence against women

Class related violence is one of a kind discrimination. It leads to different angles of violence
Victims of this type of violence are determined by the wealth. Not only lower caste people
but people form any religion, caste or any sect of society are suffering to due to lack of
wealth or you can say lack of basic resources in accordance of human needs. When caste
23
Niranjana, G., 2022. Problematizing Sexual Assault Against Dalit Women: An Analysis of Media Reports in
the Hathras Rape Case (Doctoral dissertation).
24
Niranjana, G., 2022. Problematizing Sexual Assault Against Dalit Women: An Analysis of Media Reports in
the Hathras Rape Case (Doctoral dissertation).
25
Niranjana, G., 2022. Problematizing Sexual Assault Against Dalit Women: An Analysis of Media Reports in
the Hathras Rape Case (Doctoral dissertation).
26
Ankita Yadav & Vaibhav Gaur, An Inter-Caste Rape Case in India Illustrates Institutional Failure, JURIST –
Academic Commentary (Mar. 24, 2023), [Link]
institutional-failure.
27
, Bhushan Sharma, Dalit Women: Narratives of Vulnerability, Violence, and a Culture of Impunity, 23 J. Int’l
Women’s Stud. (2022).
28
Zahra Ahmad, Intersectional Discrimination: Gender and Caste, Contemp. Voice Dalit (2023),
[Link]
29
B. Rai, Dalit Women in India: An Overview of Their Status, EPRA Int’l J. Econ. & Bus. Res. (2016)
based violence meet violence based class it lead to disastrous effect on marginalized women.
Women with lower socioeconomic background face extra hardship s such as domestic
violence; workplace harassment, economic exploitation, and denial of justice [Link]
dependence, social power imbalances, and lack of legal awareness are some reason of sexual
violence against women31 32 33.

Examples

The house help scenario as I mention above have a base which is money. Most of the times
the house help are paid less or denied wages. Many informal sectors such as garment sector
agriculture etc. Have same condition where women are exploited, sexual harmed are
suffering from body mining and have unsafe workplace 34 35
.Domestic violence is another
atrocity women face due to class discrimination. Many women do not try to leave an abusive
household due to lack of stable income sources and lack of property rights further increase
women's vulnerability, as ownership can enhance bargaining power and decision-making
36 37
within household . In many communities taking divorce due to domestic violence is
38
discouraged but if anyone tries to take divorce they need a bundle of money for legal aid
39 40
and support shelter . Many marginalized women are not able to get health care services
41 42
due to discrimination on the basis of there caste as well as lack of money .Some young
30
B. Rai, Dalit Women in India: An Overview of Their Status, EPRA Int’l J. Econ. & Bus. Res. (2016)
31
C. Vaughan, A. Murdolo & E. Davis, Community-Led Responses to Violence Against Immigrant and Refugee
Women in Metropolitan and Regional Australia: The ASPIRE Project, 12 ANROWS Landscapes 1, 2 (2020).).
32.
N. Kabeer, Violence Against Women as 'Relational' Vulnerability: Engendering the Sustainable Human
Development Agenda, 34 World Dev. 1606, 1608 (2006).
33
P. Pozarny, Gender Roles and Opportunities for Women in Urban Environments, 6 World Urb. F. 10, 12
(2014).).
34
S. Chant & C. Pedwell, Women, Gender and the Informal Economy: An Assessment of ILO Research and
Suggested Ways Forward (2008).
35
S. Bhattacharjee, Fast Fashion, Production Targets, and Gender-Based Violence in Asian Garment Supply
Chains, in Labor, Global Supply Chains, and the Garment Industry in South Asia: Bangladesh After Rana Plaza
207, 227 (2019).
36
T. Abramsky et al., Women’s Income and Risk of Intimate Partner Violence: Secondary Findings from the
MAISHA Cluster Randomised Trial in North-Western Tanzania, 19 BMC Pub. Health (2019),
[Link]
37
R. Meinzen-Dick et al., Women’s Land Rights as a Pathway to Poverty Reduction: A Framework and Review
of Available Evidence, Pol. Econ. - Dev.: Int’l Dev. Efforts & Strategies eJ. (2017),
[Link]
38
D. Kurz et al., Separation, Divorce, and Woman Abuse, 2 Violence Against Women 63, 81 (1996),
[Link]
39
Cris M. Sullivan et al., After the Crisis: A Needs Assessment of Women Leaving a Domestic Violence Shelter,
7 Violence & Victims 267, 275 (1992), [Link]
40
D. Bybee et al., Predicting Re-Victimization of Battered Women 3 Years After Exiting a Shelter Program, 36
Am. J. Cmty. Psychol. 85, 96 (2005), [Link]
41
Reddy, D.K. (2016). HEALTH STATUS OF MARGINALIZED GROUPS IN INDIA. .
42
P. Patel, M. Das & U. Das, The Perceptions, Health-Seeking Behaviours and Access of Scheduled Caste
Women to Maternal Health Services in Bihar, India, 26 Reprod. Health Matters 114, 125 (2018),
poor girls are even exposed to a form of forced prostitution in temples, serving as sex
workers for men from dominant castes. This is known as Devadasi system . Initially this
Devadasi work consider as honoring work but as the time goes this system was used to
exploit women for needs of higher caste women . I think to not is that the Devadasi are
mostly from lower strata of caste system showing intersectional discrimination or
exploitation .The Devadasi end up in prostitution or as sex work .Even though the system was
43 44
banned in 1988 but it is still been practice in some region of Maharashtra and Karnataka
45 46
.

 BARRIER BETWEEN WOMEN AND JUSTICE (EXTISTING POLICIES

AND GAP IN IT)

There are numerous domestic and international law and policies . But they are ineffective and
need more rigorous framework for enforcement and accessibility for addressing violence
against women. This not only hinders the dignity of women but also cause stagnancy in
development of women47 48 49 50 51
. Gaps in enforcement ,judicial bias and institutional
accountability continue to create more problems for women for marginalized or discriminated
[Link] though there are many law in India such as such as the Scheduled Castes and
Scheduled Tribes (Prevention of Atrocities) Act, 1989 (SC/ST Act) and the Protection of
Women from Domestic Violence Act, 2005 (PWDV) which are very progressive then also

[Link]
43
Sheetal Kamble, Caste-Based Violence Against Women: Annihilation of Caste and Democracy (2020).

44
J. Kothari et al., Intersections of Caste and Gender: Implementation of Devadasi Prohibition Laws (2019),
[Link]
45
B. MalagiRamesh et al., Devadasi Practice in Karnataka, 4 Int’l J. Sci. Res. 901, 904 (2015).
46
Sundeep Mangat, Sexual Violence Against Dalit Women in India: Navigating Discourses of Honour, Shame,
and Marriage (unpublished Ph.D. dissertation, Roehampton Univ. (2022).
47
S. Forester et al., “We’ve Got This Policy, Now What?” The Security Politics of Implementing the Family
Protection Law in Jordan, Int’l Pol. Sci. Rev. (2024), [Link]
48
Isabel Santagostino Recavarren et al., Laws and Policies to Address Violence Against Women in Countries
Affected by Fragility and Conflict (2024), [Link]
49
Julie Ada Tchoukou et al., The Silences of International Human Rights Law: The Need for a UN Treaty on
Violence Against Women, Hum. Rts. L. Rev. (2023), [Link]
50
Bonita Meyersfeld et al., Reconceptualizing Domestic Violence in International Law, 67 Alb. L. Rev. 371
(2003).
51
Y. Kerevel & L. Atkeson, Explaining the Marginalization of Women in Legislative Institutions, 75 J. Pol.
980, 992 (2013), [Link]

52
S. Bandewar, A. Pitre & L. Lingam, Five Years Post Nirbhaya: Critical Insights into the Status of Response
to Sexual Assault, 3(3) Indian J. Med. Ethics 215, 221 (2018), [Link]
this also this law are ineffective due to lack of proper implementation mechanisms, police in
action, and economic barriers preventing lower-class women from seeking legal remedies 53 54
55
.The failure of legal system violates constitutional rights of women as well as create
complications in social and economic development of women 56 57 58
. India is a signatory of
CEDAW (Convention on the Elimination of All Forms of Discrimination Against Women,
1979) and has obligations under ILO Convention C190 (Violence and Harassment in the
Workplace, 2019) but still this policies cannot be applied due to various cultural aspect59.

 SUGGESTED REFORMS

In the reason section there have been many mentions of gaps in the legal system. To address
such gaps and to support marginalized women and lower socioeconomic background it is
important to increase effectiveness of enforcement mechanism. For this are some suggestion
in of modification in reforms which bridge the gap provided justice to women as well as
increases the speed of development of women and empowers them.

i. Alignment of Indian laws with CEDAW : By doing alignment of Labour law of India
with ILO Convention C190 we can safeguard women as well any worker who is
involve in informal industries and can help in gender equity and gave same sense of
security to informal employees as of formal employees 60. Criminalization of martial
rape can gave sense of security to women in abusive marriage and economic
dependence as per the CEDAW guidelines61 62 .

53
Swetapadma, S., Subudhi, R., & Chattoraj, P. Are Reporting and Investigation of Rape Cases Victim
Friendly? Responses of the Police from a Cross-Sectional Study Conducted in Three States of Eastern India.
International Review of Victimology (2023)
54
Mathur, N. Paper Tiger: Law, Bureaucracy and the Developmental State in Himalayan India. (2016).
[Link]
55
S. Bandewar, A. Pitre & L. Lingam, Five Years Post Nirbhaya: Critical Insights into the Status of Response to
Sexual Assault, 3(3) Indian J. Med. Ethics 215, 221 (2018), [Link]
56
C. MacKinnon, Sex Equality Under the Constitution of India: Problems, Prospects, and “Personal Laws”, 4
Int’l J. Const. L. 181, 202 (2006), [Link]
57
H. Bhagyalakshmi, Women Empowerment Through Constitutional Rights, 1 Int’l J. Innovative Res. & Dev.
422, 430 (2012)
58
B. Cossman & R. Kapur, Women and Poverty in India: Law and Social Change, (2008).
59
V. Shritha, Would the “Optional Protocol” Effectuate India’s Due Diligence Obligation Under the Women’s
Convention?, 13 Asian J. Int’l L. 76, 96 (2022)
60
J. Resnik, Comparative (In)Equalities: CEDAW, the Jurisdiction of Gender, and the Heterogeneity of
Transnational Law Production, 10 Int’l J. Const. L. 531, 550 (2012)
61
Kim, D. Marital Rape Immunity in India: Historical Anomaly or Cultural Defence?. 69 Crime, Law and
Social Change 91, 107 (2018) [Link]
62
E. Martin, C. Taft & P. Resick, A Review of Marital Rape, 12 Aggression & Violent Behav. 329, 347 (2007),
[Link]
 ii. Strengthens legal support system and access to judicial reforms : increase in free legal
literacy program in rural area as women of such area are not aware of their legal
rights under domestic violence and sexual harassment issue; Expand free legal aid
services for victims of caste- and class-based violence to ensure that marginalized
women have access to justice. This can include providing state-funded legal
counselors, pro bono lawyers, and community paralegals to assist women in
63 64
navigating the justice system .State funded survivor shelter should be made for
victims of domestic violence. These shelters should offer counseling, financial
support, and legal assistance to enable women to regain autonomy and rebuild their
lives65 66.
iii. Police accountability: Confirming responsibility by executing penal actions against
officers who fail to protect victims, including discharge and criminal prosecution
where applicable67 68
. Mandatory training on caste- and gender-sensitivity for all
police officers, ensuring that they approach cases of caste- and class-based violence
with an open mind, free from discrimination. This should be part of a wide-ranging
effort to eliminate caste-based prejudice within police services . Ensure accountability
by implementing disciplinary actions against officers who fail to protect victims,
including dismissal and criminal prosecution where applicable69.
iv. Changes SC/ST (Prevention of Atrocities) Act, 1989: Introduce strict penalties for law
enforcement officers who fail to register cases or delay investigations, especially
when caste-based violence is involved 70. Fast-track courts should be set up for caste-

63
C. Trivedi, D. Dogra, A. Tandon & S. Kumar, The Provision of Free Legal Aid in India, Revista Gênero &
Interdisciplinaridade (2022), [Link]
64
K. Sofiya & A. Valli, Access to Free Legal Aid in India – A Critical Analysis, 40 [Journal Name] 1409, 1411
(2020)
65
J. Fauci & L. Goodman, “You Don’t Need Nobody Else Knocking You Down”: Survivor-Mothers’
Experiences of Surveillance in Domestic Violence Shelters, 35 J. Fam. Violence 241, 254 (2019),
[Link]
66
Jonathan, How Survivors of Domestic Violence Seek Legal and Social Support Against Their Abusers in
Ahmednagar District of Maharashtra State in India: An Exploratory Study, (2023).

67
¹ B. Blackwell & M. Vaughn, Police Civil Liability for Inappropriate Response to Domestic Assault Victims,
31 J. Crim. Just. 129, 146 (2003), [Link]

68
lham Ilham, A. Thamrin, Danil Danil & Nurmiati Muhiddin, Legal Protection for Victims of Wrongful Arrest
Experiencing Violence in the Investigation Process, TERAJU (2023), [Link]
69
Katherine Spencer, Amanda Charbonneau & Jack Glaser, Implicit Bias and Policing, 10 Soc. & Personality
Psychol. Compass 50, 63 (2016), [Link]
70
Mangubhai, J.P. & Lee, J.G., Dalit Women Speak Out: Caste, Class, and Gender Violence in India,
Copenhagen: International Dalit Solidarity Network (2006).
 based violence cases, ensuring that these cases receive priority treatment and are
resolved within a fixed time frame, such as six months. Mandatory victim
compensation should be implemented, offering financial support for survivors of
caste-based violence, including funds for legal representation, medical treatment, and
safe housing71.
v. Proper laws for informal worker :betterment the existing labor laws such as sexual
72
harassment at workplace act (2013) to cover informal sector . Making internal
complaint committees for reporting any type of harassment in small-scale business or
informal [Link] proper facilities such as housing ,healthcare and true
74
wages to the domestic worker and abusive free environment .strict penalties should
be introduced for employers who try to exploit female worker in exchange of
promotion or higher salaries75

CONCLUSION

The continuous issue of caste and class related violence against women shows the deeply
rooted the inequality within the society and legal frameworks. There are many existing laws
which are made for protection of women but their implementation is inadequate. Women
from lower caste and lower socio economically disadvantaged backgrounds face high risk of
violence. Then also justice cannot be gain due to systemic biases, ineffective enforcement
mechanism and socio economic restrains . the laws is meant to shield the life’s of women but
many times used as weapon and use to to misuse the power .fast track case solving related to
women should be done. Mandatory legal; aid and representation of marginalized women
should be increases .a women should be empowered economically so that they does not
depend on anyone and can stand for their own rights justice should not be reserved to rich or
higher strata of society hence the justice system should not forgotten .

71
Datta, Anwesha & Satija, Sangeeta, Women, Development, Caste, and Violence in Rural Bihar, India, 26
ASIAN J. WOMEN’S STUD. 223, 244 (2020), [Link]

72
L. Platt et al., Associations Between Sex Work Laws and Sex Workers’ Health: A Systematic Review and
Meta-Analysis of Quantitative and Qualitative Studies, 15 PLoS Med. (2018),
[Link]

73
K. Basu, The Economics and Law of Sexual Harassment in the Workplace, 17 J. Econ. Persp. 141, 157
(2003), [Link]
74

75
Everyone have equal rights in the world in every aspect of light. Land and property
inheritance law should ne strengthened so that women get there share [Link] it formal or
informal industries women should the highest level of security and should not face any kind
of sexual harassment76. People on authority should remember their main goal of safeguarding
women dignity rather being a part of the people who plays life of any person.

The urgent need for extensive legal and policy reforms is highlighted by the Indian judicial
system's inability to safeguard marginalized women77. Combating violence based on caste
and class necessitates: Protective laws, such the SC/ST Act and rules against workplace
harassment, must be strictly enforced78. Judicial changes must be made to end prejudice and
delays in cases involving Dalit and lower-class women. Policies for economic empowerment,
such as universal basic income and improved Labour rights. Compliance of national
legislation with international human rights norms, such as CEDAW and ILO Convention
C190. A just and inclusive society for all women, irrespective of caste or class, can only be
established in India by guaranteeing equal legal protection, economic freedom. According to
the 2022 NCRB data, there were 31,677 rape cases in India, which is more than in prior
years. The 2023 NCRB report, which will include new numbers, is anticipated to be released
shortly79; The 2023 NCRB report, which is set to be released soon, will have updated figures
on sexual violence. These estimates, however, only include the cases that have been
documented; many others go unreported because to fear, societal stigma, and institutional
apathy. The disparity between reported and real instances highlights the critical need for legal
reforms, increased enforcement, and survivor-centered policies. Gender-based violence will
remain a crisis of justice and human dignity in the absence of institutional accountability and
legal reform.

Independence is also essential for ending violent cycles. Increasing marginalized women's
access to land rights, financial literacy initiatives, and work possibilities can provide them
more power than just legal safeguards. Justice will remain a privilege rather than a right
unless law enforcement, the judiciary, and legislators make a commitment to structural

76
. Kabeer, Naila, Violence Against Women as ‘Relational’ Vulnerability: Engendering the Sustainable Human
Development Agenda, 34 WORLD DEV. 1606, 1608 (2006).
77
Mangubhai, J.P. & Lee, J.G., Dalit Women Speak Out: Caste, Class, and Gender Violence in India,
Copenhagen: International Dalit Solidarity Network (2006).
78
Ahmad, Zahra, Intersectional Discrimination: Gender and Caste, 10 CONTEMP. VOICE OF DALIT (2023),
[Link]
79
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change. True justice involves tearing down the fundamental structures that allow tyranny, not
merely punishing the offenders. all of the above mention reform will lead us to better society
with women development.
ENDNOTES/HYPERLINK

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6. Greta Bauer et al., Intersectionality in Quantitative Research: A Systematic Review of Its

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7. Barbara Krahé, Violence Against Women, 19 CURR. OPIN. PSYCHOL. 6, 10 (2018),

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8. Terry Nelson, Violence Against Women, 9 WOWATCH 33, 38 (1996),

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9. John Briere & Cheryl Jordan, Violence Against Women, 19 J. INTERPERSONAL

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10. Anwesha Datta & Sangeeta Satija, Women, Development, Caste, and Violence in Rural
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12. Sangeeta Satija, Violence Against Women in Rural Bihar: A Case of Four Villages,
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13. V. R. Bhujbal, Dalit Women: Poverty, Gender, and Caste-Based Discrimination in India,
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14. S. Sharma, Caste-Based Crimes and Economic Status: Evidence from India, 43 J. COMP.
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15. J.P. Mangubhai & J.G. Lee, Dalit Women Speak Out: Caste, Class, and Gender Violence
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16. Sundeep Mangat, Sexual Violence Against Dalit Women in India: Navigating Discourses
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[1] Anna Carastathis, The Concept of Intersectionality in Feminist Theory, 9 PHIL. COMPASS 304, 314
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[2] Ankita Yadav & Vaibhav Gaur, An Inter-Caste Rape Case in India Illustrates Institutional Failure,
JURIST – Academic Commentary (Mar. 24, 2023).