WomenSafety – Rural Women Continue to Face Higher Levels of Domestic Violence, NFHS-6 Finds

WomenSafety –  Women living in rural India continue to face a greater risk of domestic and gender-based violence than those residing in urban areas, according to the latest findings from the National Family Health Survey (NFHS-6). While the survey highlights progress in women’s financial inclusion, digital access, and personal ownership of communication devices, it also points to ongoing challenges related to safety and violence, particularly in rural communities.

Decline Recorded in Overall Gender-Based Violence

The newly released NFHS-6 data shows a notable reduction in gender-based violence across the country. The percentage of ever-married women aged 18 to 49 who reported experiencing spousal violence fell from 29.2% during 2019-21 to 22.3% in 2023-24. Despite this improvement, rural women remain significantly more vulnerable, with 24.4% reporting such experiences compared with 17.5% of women living in urban areas.

The figures suggest that although the national situation has improved, the gap between rural and urban regions continues to be a matter of concern for policymakers and social welfare organizations.

Violence During Pregnancy Remains a Concern

The survey also examined physical violence experienced during pregnancy. Nationally, the percentage of ever-married women aged 18-49 who reported physical abuse during any pregnancy declined slightly from 3.1% to 2.7%.

However, the rural-urban divide remains visible in this category as well. Rural women reported a higher incidence rate of 2.9%, while the corresponding figure for urban women stood at 2.3%. Experts have often emphasized that violence during pregnancy can have serious consequences for both maternal and child health, making continued intervention essential.

Women’s Empowerment Indicators Show Progress

Alongside concerns over violence, NFHS-6 recorded encouraging developments in several indicators linked to women’s empowerment. More women now have access to the internet, maintain personal bank accounts, and own mobile phones compared to previous survey rounds.

These gains indicate expanding financial independence and greater participation in the digital economy. Increased access to information and financial services is widely viewed as a positive step toward improving women’s social and economic status across the country.

Regional Variations Highlight Different Trends

The survey findings reveal considerable differences among states and union territories. In most parts of India, reported cases of spousal violence have declined since the previous survey period. However, a few regions recorded an increase.

States and union territories including Kerala, Mizoram, Goa, Lakshadweep, and the Andaman and Nicobar Islands witnessed a rise in reported spousal violence compared with earlier data. Several southern states also continued to record levels of spousal violence that were above the national average.

Urban Areas Not Immune to Domestic Violence

Although rural women generally reported higher rates of abuse, the survey identified a number of regions where urban women experienced greater levels of spousal violence than their rural counterparts.

These regions include Andhra Pradesh, Haryana, Jharkhand, Mizoram, Uttarakhand, West Bengal, Dadra and Nagar Haveli, Daman and Diu, and Puducherry. The findings suggest that domestic violence remains a widespread issue that affects women across different social and geographic settings.

Need for Continued Support and Awareness

The latest NFHS-6 results present a mixed picture. While the decline in overall gender-based violence is a positive development, the persistence of higher violence rates in rural areas highlights the need for continued awareness campaigns, stronger support systems, and targeted interventions.

The data underscores the importance of addressing social and economic factors that contribute to violence against women while ensuring that empowerment initiatives translate into greater safety and well-being for women across India.