Malappuram: Despite the implementation of various legal frameworks such as the Domestic Violence Prohibition Act, Dowry Prohibition Act, and the Prevention of Sexual Violence against Women at Workplaces, violence against women continues to surge in Kerala. As of June this year, a staggering 9,501 cases have been registered, averaging over two incidents per hour or approximately 53 cases each day.

The statistics reveal a troubling trend: a significant number of these cases involve abuse by husbands and family members—those expected to provide protection—with 2,327 cases reported involving such perpetrators. Additionally, the state has faced high incidences of rape, defamation, and kidnapping.

In 2023 alone, Kerala police recorded a total of 18,980 cases of violence against women. The breakdown of cases registered until June this year includes:

  • Rape: 1,338
  • Defamation: 2,330
  • Eve teasing and bad language: 306
  • Kidnapping: 53
  • Dowry death: 3
  • Other atrocities: 3,144

The persistence of these issues despite robust legal measures highlights a critical need for more effective interventions and societal change to protect women’s rights and safety.

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