Skip to content
Search

Latest Stories

Women in “semi-arranged marriages” less likely to experience marital violence, report says

by KEERTHI MOHAN and LAUREN CODLING

ASIAN women in “semi-arranged marriages” are less likely to experience marital violence, a new report revealed last week.


Many women in India face some form of domestic violence, and most often, the perpetrators are their husbands, a United Nations survey released last Tuesday (25) said.

About 31 per cent of married women have experienced physical, sexual or emotional violence by their spouses, it added.

However, those in semi-arranged marriages are less likely to experience marital violence compared to those in traditional arranged marriages organised by parents, according to the UN Women’s report titled Progress of the World’s Women 2019-2020: Families in a Changing World.

The concept of traditional parent-arranged marriages has been partially replaced by semi-arranged marriages, particularly in urban India, the UN said.

In such arrangements, families are involved in suggesting potential grooms, but the final decision is left up to the women.

KC Mercy, a lawyer and counsellor associated with Sreyas, a social development organisation in  India, told Eastern Eye: “Most often, in a semi-arranged marriage, women are given equal rights and they have a say in every aspect of life. There is equality in the relationship.”

Instances of domestic violence are also fewer if women are financially independent, or if they own assets such as land and housing, the report said, adding that this offers them a way out of abusive situations.

According to Mercy, one of the most common factors for domestic violence is alcoholism, and it is not restricted to those in low-income groups. She revealed she has seen doctors and engineers as perpetrators of domestic violence.

“No woman is immune to abuse,” said Mercy, adding that whenever there is an “uneven” allocation of power in a relationship, there is a chance of abuse.

Women are usually afraid to report cases of domestic abuse in fear her husband will be arrested.

Women may also worry the issue will bring public shame. Many choose to stay in the relationship for the sake of their children.

Ishika Khatri* is a domestic abuse victim. The 55-year-old has been living with her abusive husband for the past 30 years, and chose to stay in the relationship, bearing in mind her children’s future. “They won’t get good marriage alliances if I divorce my children,” said Khatri.

A solution to domestic abuse could be counselling, Mercy said. Both husbands and wives need to be taught communication methods, and how to remove aggression.

“Separation is not always the first step to solve the problem. Raising awareness is needed to weed out this problem of domestic abuse,” Mercy said.

Other key findings in the report focused on the high number of dowry-related killings in India.

According to National Crime Records Bureau research in India, female dowry deaths account for 40 to 50 per cent of all female homicides recorded annually, with little change between 1999 and 2016.

The UN report also stressed that dowry, the transfer of parental property or money at the marriage of a daughter, can “fuel violence” if the sum is not paid in full or if gifts are deemed unsatisfactory.

Speaking to Eastern Eye on Tuesday (2), Dr Navtej K Purewal noted the “sobering” evidence related to the killings.

“Violence against women persists, and even where there are laws, the systemic lack of implementation highlight the difficulties to collectively challenge patriarchal and other forms of violence, including hate crime and state, custodial violence,” Dr Purewal said.

Dr Purewal also commented on the data relating to fertility and sex selection, which showed that some parents in the region reconcile their desire for smaller families with continued preference for sons through sex-selective abortions.

By 2017, the Asian countries with abnormally high sex ratios (greater than 105 males per 100 females) in southern Asia were Afghanistan, Bhutan, India, Maldives and Pakistan.

Although Dr Purewal highlighted India’s successful downward fertility trend since 1970 (dropping from 5.6 to 2.4 live births per woman), she said it had been well documented that a by-product of this had been a heightening skew against females due to sex selective technologies.

“If people are going to have fewer children, then they are ensuring they have sons,” she explained. “The lack of any real transformative change in fertility thinking by both policy-makers and society is evident in the persistently discriminatory sex ratios skewed against females.”

Additional significant findings related to south Asia included research linked to same-sex relationships. According to the findings, no country currently in the region grants the right for same-sex couples to marry or enter into legally recognised partnerships, although India repealed a law in 2018 which had previously criminalised same-sex relations.

In relation to visas and documentation, the report revealed a married woman in Pakistan cannot apply for a passport in the same way that a married man can. Married women in Bangladesh and Pakistan could also not confer citizenship on a non-national spouse in the same way a married man can.

It also found that around 17 to 26 per cent of women aged 15-49 in India receive a wage or income of their own, meaning that the great majority of women are financially dependent on their spouses, fathers and in-laws.

*Name has been changed to protect identity

More For You

Police officers

Police officers stand guard between an anti fascist group and Tommy Robinson supporters during an anti-immigration rally organised by British anti-immigration activist Stephen Yaxley-Lennon, also known as Tommy Robinson, in London, Britain, September 13, 2025.

REUTERS/Jaimi Joy

UK defends France migrant returns deal after court blocks first removal

THE British government has defended its new migrant returns deal with France after a High Court ruling temporarily blocked the deportation of an Eritrean asylum seeker, marking an early legal setback to the scheme.

The 25-year-old man, who arrived in Britain on a small boat from France on August 12, was due to be placed on an Air France flight from Heathrow to Paris on Wednesday (17) morning. But on Tuesday (16), Judge Clive Sheldon granted an interim injunction, saying there was a “serious issue to be tried” over his claim to be a victim of trafficking.

Keep ReadingShow less
Asian surgeon sentenced to six years for sexual assault

Dr Amal Bose. (Photo: Lancashire Police)

Asian surgeon sentenced to six years for sexual assault

AN ASIAN senior heart surgeon, who abused his position to sexually assault female members of staff, has been jailed for six years.

Dr Amal Bose, from Lancaster, was convicted of 12 counts of sexual assault against five colleagues at Blackpool Victoria Hospital between 2017 and 2022. He was cleared of two other charges.

Keep ReadingShow less
Modi & Trump

Donald Trump and Narendra Modi shake hands as they attend a joint press conference at the White House on February 13, 2025.

Reuters

Trump greets Modi on 75th birthday, trade talks continue in Delhi

Highlights:

  • Both leaders reaffirm commitment to India-US partnership
  • Trade talks resume in New Delhi amid tariff tensions
  • India defends purchase of discounted Russian oil

US PRESIDENT Donald Trump on Tuesday called Indian prime minister Narendra Modi and greeted him ahead of his 75th birthday. The phone call sparked hopes of a reset in India-US ties, which had been under strain after Washington doubled tariffs on Indian goods to 50 per cent.

Keep ReadingShow less
​Donald Trump and Melania Trump

Donald Trump and Melania Trump exit Air Force One after arriving at London Stansted Airport for a state visit on September 16, 2025 in Stansted, Essex.

Getty Images

UK rolls out royal welcome as Trump begins second state visit

Highlights:

  • Trump begins his second state visit to the UK with a royal welcome at Windsor Castle
  • Prince William, Catherine, King Charles and Queen Camilla take part in ceremony
  • State banquet and trade talks with prime minister Keir Starmer scheduled
  • Protests and security operation mark visit amid political challenges

US PRESIDENT Donald Trump began his unprecedented second state visit to Britain on Wednesday with a lavish welcome from King Charles and the royal family at Windsor Castle.

Keep ReadingShow less
11th UK Gatka Championship

All winners received medals and trophies

UK Parliament

11th UK Gatka Championship ends with Welsh debut and £1,000 support for Gatka Akharas

Highlights:

  • The 11th UK National Gatka Championship was hosted near Cardiff, marking the first time in Wales.
  • Winners included Roop Kaur (girls), Navjot Singh (boys), and Gurdeep Singh (men’s).
  • Gatka Federation UK awarded £1,000 to each participating Akhara to support martial arts promotion.
  • Chief guests included MP Tanmanjeet Singh Dhesi and Harjeet Singh Grewal, President of the World Gatka Federation.

Gatka Championship marks Welsh debut

The 11th UK National Gatka Championship concluded on a high note near Cardiff, Wales, showcasing the traditional Sikh martial art with flair. Seven leading Gatka Akharas participated, thrilling spectators with their lightning-fast strikes, precision moves and elegant techniques.

Inauguration by global leaders

The tournament was inaugurated by Harjeet Singh Grewal, President of the World Gatka Federation (WGF) and the National Gatka Association of India (NGAI). He was joined by Tanmanjeet Singh Dhesi MP, President of Gatka Federation UK, alongside other dignitaries including Jagbir Singh Jagga Chakar, President of Wales Kabaddi Club, and community leaders from the Haveli Hotel Pontyclun.

Keep ReadingShow less