The recent study conducted on a sample size of 73,895 women in National Family Health Survey-5 (2019-2021) by researchers in School of Health Systems Studies in Mumbai-based Tata Institute of Social Sciences and Centre for Study of Regional Development in JNU puts into attention the association between Sexually transmitted disease (STI) and intimate partner violence (IPV).
This study was, therefore, undertaken to provide a comprehensive analysis of the prevalence of different forms of violence in married Indian women and its associated risk factors with emphasis to linkage with HIV. The primary objective was to estimate the prevalence of IPV in terms of physical, sexual and emotional violence in ever married Indian women and to identify various predictors of IPV. The secondary objective was to determine the association between IPV and proportion of HIV/AIDS and self-reported STIs.
Outcome Of The Study
15.9% of women who faced controlling attitudes of the husband reported STI/RTI . Women with no sexual autonomy and exposed to intimate partner violence were 2-3 times more likely to have STI/RTI. Women without sexual autonomy and who faced controlling attitudes by husbands were twice more likely to be exposed to RTI. Women with sexual autonomy had 12% lower likelihood of having STI/RTI when socio-demographic factors were controlled.
Reasoning
While the above study is not conclusive but somehow suggests that violence limits women’s ability to negotiate a condom use. It is due to the prevailing community gender norms which sanctifies domestic abuse or IPV often interferes with adopting STIs prevention behaviors and thus given the choice between immediate threat of violence and relatively hypothetical specter of an STI, women often resign themselves to certain kinds of sexual demands, which may increase their risk of acquiring STI. Sexuality is integral to women’s political, social and economic empowerment. Women need control over their bodies, be able to assert their right to physical autonomy and protection from abuse, and realize sexual rights such as the right to a safe and satisfying sex life. If they do not have this, women have limited scope for making claims in other areas of their lives.
Need For Sexual Empowerment Of Women
When we as a society talk of women empowerment, it mostly revolves around financial, social and educational empowerment. We tend to ignore the aspect of sexual empowerment and it is precisely due to this reason that women often become the victims of IPV, unwanted pregnancies, sexual violence. Sex still remains a tabooed subject in our society and more so for women where their sexuality is suppressed under the veneer of purity and chastity. This sexual illiteracy in our society has increased crime against women, repressive norms and behaviors. The society thus needs to work in tandem to ensure that women’s bodies are no more the victim of intimate partner violence.
Conclusion
The above analysis adds to the growing body of literature that suggests that female IPV victims have a higher STI prevalence as well as higher levels of STI-risk behavior compared with the women in non-violent relationships. Thus, the word women empowerment requires a more holistic understanding incorporating education to men and women equally on their bodies, emphasizing on women’s right to say no and encouraging the use of contraceptives.