Havas: Evil lust

"The last National Family Health Survey (2005-2006), conducted among 124,385 women in 29 Indian states, had 10% women reporting that they had been raped by their husbands. In 2012, 8,233 dowry death cases were reported across India. This means a bride was burned to death every 90 minutes." Is marriage still a match made in heaven or is it the supposed right of the husband to own and use the body of his wife as he wills? To demonstrate this astounding fact, we decided to do one of our photography assignments on the topic of domestic violence and marital rape. This is in no way to glorify the sufferings of the victims. It is to show that only women of a certain class aren't the only ones subjected to this brutality. The beautiful, the rich, the powerful women are also victims. Just because you cannot see their scars does not mean they are not suffering in silence. This is our bit to bring attention to a cause ignored by our Indian Constituition.

Marriage is a religious institution in our country; not questionable by law. Marital rape is thus, not questionable either. What these men do to their wives behind closed doors is their right, not torture or rape.

Scarred for life, physically and mentally, these women want out. They want to be able to run free of the clutches of the violence and torment that they face in the house that they thought would be their home for life. But most of them are trapped.

They are violated. Sometimes by not only their husbands but also by other relatives and ‘friends’ of the family. How long will she try to hide from those leering eyes? Not long. Eventually, she will become a ragdoll when she realizes her clothes don’t matter.

Now as the Sun goes down over the horizon, her fear rises. Another night, another misery filled period of her life. Again she will be taken against her will, again she will be beaten black & blue, again her hopes to be saved will be crushed all over again.

She turns a blind eye to everything now. She is now just a ragdoll. She knows what awaits her behind closed doors, but she doesn’t even flinch anymore. Just lies there numb; physically and emotionally.

She feels no more.

Don’t look at her and see the beautiful jewellery that adorns her, don’t let the ornate clothes deceive you. Because scars can be well hidden under them and the reasons can range from evil lust to greed of dowry. Try to look her in the eye, maybe that will give away the truth.

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