Domestic Violence against Women in Bhutan
Several domestic violence cases are reported every year in Bhutan but this does not mean that this domestic violence against women is growing. The increasing number of violence in Bhutan indicates that men and women are being educated on the laws against domestic violence. Similarly, they are seeking security and justice whenever they experience crime. Also, there are stakeholders, for instance, the RENEW as well as the police which are making sure that domestic violence is not done amongst the people of Bhutan. Consequently, during the past years, there were no cases on marital rape but it reflected in the penal Code of Bhutan and also teachers molested children in schools. Education on sexual harassment as well as sex is really and also sex education among people of Bhutan. However, RENEW has made plans on the consensus-building initiative to create awareness on domestic violence and also sexual abuse in families where they have a lot of volunteers all around Bhutan. Once, Doctor Meenakshi who is the director of RENEW said that, according to the Domestic Violence Prevention Act, in 2013 it indicated that domestic violence is a crime and this violence is not negotiated. Mainly, the Domestic Violence Prevention Act shows that the four types of domestic violence, for example, sexual abuse, physical violence, economic and emotional violence are crimes.
However, there was recent research which was conducted in Bhutan which indicated that there are some acceptance rates on women of domestic violence have grown to 80%. Therefore civil society organizations together with government agencies have taken a step to prevent violence against women. The government agencies and the civil society organization made an agreement that this violence should not be tolerated. Today in Bhutan, some interventions respond and support survivors of domestic violence therefore these interventions create a gap in primary prevention (Gevers, Miyaoi & Wangmo et al, 2018). Consequently, there is a committee which takes examines the root cause of this violence and also is focused on how to change the injurious standards in many societies in Bhutan (Kubota, 2019). Similarly, RENEW, and other agencies like UNDP and NCWC are striving to examine the causes of this violence and what actions should be taken against them.
Women who suffer from domestic violence shows lack of confidence whenever they are doing their work, they have low attention when participating in any activity, they are always seen to be sad with no energy and enthusiasm, they do not get comfortable sleep and they lack appetite. However, many women are being abused in Bhutan but they do not know that they are victims and therefore they suffer it more frequently (Dawa, 2018). When women are violated and abused, especially sexual violence may cause long term physical or sexual reproductive health problems. Notably, this violence may affect their children as well as high social and economic costs for these women. Also, this violence may lead to homicide or suicide outcomes. Researches argue that at least 42% of women in Bhutan experience intimate partner violence and also report injuries as a result of the violence. The journey to innovate primary prevention of violence against women in Bhutan is underway to widen the development projects as well as funding them for them to be able to campaigns against violence against women (Pem, 2018). Initially, there are also cases of women experiencing violence but they do not report to the police despite the volunteers trying to create rooms for them to feel free. According to RENEW director, the only cases reported are those from the urban areas and so they do not know what is happening in the rural areas.
Conclusion
Domestic violence occurs as a result of differences between family members, especially interrelated factors. In many times domestic violence may result in subjugation whereby the abuser who is the male imposes their will to the women. The domestic laws amended by the Marriage Act of Bhutan 1980 cover the separation divorce together with child custody. The act support mothers to be the custodians of children. The act also marriageable age should be 18 years. However, many people who are being abused in Bhutan do not report to the police and again they do not see themselves as victims. Accordingly, domestic abuse against women in Bhutan should be restricted although domestic violence is not that increasing. People are getting formal education and are aware of the laws on violence against women. Mainly, the Domestic Violence Prevention Act shows that the four types of domestic violence, for example, sexual abuse, physical violence, economic and emotional violence are crimes.
Reference
Anik Gevers, Koh Miyaoi & Sangay Wangmo et al. (2018, November Wednesday). Domestic Violence. Truump has a New Journey to Reduce Violence Against Women and Children Begins with Innovation, pp. 1-5.
Dawa, Y. (2018). Domestic Violence. Violence against Women, 1-12.
Kubota, A. (2019). Launch of the Violence Against Women and Girls Report. Thimphu: UNDP Bhutan Report.
Pem, D. (2018). Understanding and Fighting Domestic Violence in the Bhutanese Setting. London: The Bhutanese Newspaper