Femicide in the Shadows: A Culture of Silence Enables Domestic Violence

The gruesome murder of an eight-month pregnant woman by her intoxicated husband, with their five-year-old son bearing witness to the atrocity, has once again highlighted the disturbing reality of femicide in India. The case from Mahoba district, Uttar Pradesh, is a stark reminder that despite progress and promises of change, domestic violence remains a pervasive issue, perpetuated by societal norms and cultural attitudes.

The accused, Hanif, had a history of harassing his wife over dowry demands and his own alcohol addiction. His brother-in-law alleged that Hanif had sold part of their land to fund his drinking habit, highlighting the economic burden of domestic violence on families. The victim’s family had previously lodged a case against him in 2024, after which she stayed at her parental home for nine months before returning to her matrimonial home.

The fact that Hanif was able to manipulate investigators by initially claiming an unidentified person had committed the crime is a testament to the culture of silence surrounding domestic violence. His attempts to mislead police were made possible only because their young son, unwittingly, became a key witness in the case.

This incident raises important questions about societal norms that enable such heinous crimes to occur. What drives women like Manisha to be repeatedly subjected to harassment and violence by their partners? What does it say about our collective failure as a society when we allow these incidents to go unpunished or, worse still, sweep them under the rug?

The Indian state has introduced various laws aimed at protecting women from domestic violence. However, it’s clear that more needs to be done. The fact that Hanif was able to sell part of their land to fund his drinking habit suggests a deeper issue with land ownership and economic empowerment for women.

As this case moves forward, the spotlight should focus on systemic failures that allowed such a tragedy to unfold. What measures will be taken to ensure perpetrators are held accountable? How can we better support victims of domestic violence and their families?

In the aftermath of this atrocity, it’s essential to acknowledge the role of societal pressures in perpetuating domestic violence. We must recognize that these crimes do not occur in isolation but are often enabled by broader cultural norms.

The post-mortem report and forensic evidence will be crucial in determining the extent of Hanif’s culpability. More important, however, is the need for a fundamental shift in how we address domestic violence as a society. It’s time to break the culture of silence that surrounds these crimes and acknowledge the systemic failures that allow them to occur.

This case serves as a stark reminder of the work still needed to protect women from domestic violence. We can no longer afford to turn a blind eye or downplay the severity of such incidents. The victim’s family deserves justice, but so do countless others who have suffered similar fates in silence.