Women and Domestic Violence Law in India: A Quest for Justice - Paperback

by Shalu Nigam (Author)

This book critically examines domestic violence law in India. It focuses on women's experiences and perspectives as victims and litigants, with regard to accessibility to law and justice. It also reflects on the manner in which the legal process reproduces gender hierarchies.

This volume:

• Analyzes the legal framework from a gender perspective to pinpoint the inherent stereotypes, prejudices and discriminatory practices that come into play while interpreting the law;

• Includes in-depth interviews and case studies, and explores critical themes such as marriage, rights, family, violence, property and the state;

• Presents alternatives beyond the domain of law, such as qualitative medical care and legal aid facilities, shelter homes, short-stay homes, childcare facilities, and economic and social security provisions to survivors and their children.

Drawing on extensive testimonies and ethnographic studies situated in a theoretical framework of law, this book will be of great interest to scholars and researchers of law, gender, human rights, women's studies, sociology and social anthropology, and South Asian studies.

Author Biography

Shalu Nigam is an advocate, researcher and activist working at the intersection of gender, law, governance and human rights issues. She is currently practicing at the courts in Delhi and is associated with the People's Union for Civil Liberties, Delhi, India. She has previously worked with the Indian Social Institute, New Delhi, as well as the Centre for Women's Development Studies, New Delhi. She was awarded a Senior Fellowship by the Indian Council for Social Science Research, New Delhi. She is the co-author of The Founding Mothers: 15 Women Architects of the Indian Constitution and has published several other books. She has been a regular contributor to countercurrents.org and has published her essays in journals such as the South Asia Journal, Social Action, International Journal of Gender and Women's Studies and Legal News and Views.