Women break silence on domestic violence, dowry harassment at Telangana Women Commission’s open hearing in Hyderabad

A large number of women were sitting on chairs in the Assembly Hall of Hyderabad district collectorate on Tuesday morning, December 23. Sunitha was also among them. He stood at the side of the stage for a moment before ascending to the podium where a panel had gathered to hear complaints.

“I got married in 2016. I have a daughter and ever since she was born, my husband and mother-in-law have been harassing me for giving birth to a girl and also for dowry,” Sunitha told the panel. She said she was forced to have three abortions after being taken to rural areas for illegal gender determination tests. “They had me aborted every time when they found out the fetus was a girl,” the woman said, adding that she had recently discovered her husband was having an extramarital affair.

Sharada Nerella, Chairman, Telangana State Women’s Commission, and Lavanya Naik, Deputy Commissioner of Police, Women’s Safety Wing, Hyderabad, along with other members of the commission at a public hearing held in Hyderabad on Tuesday, December 23 | Photo Credit: Editing

Sunitha was one of the many women who attended the ‘Naari Nyay – Listen to Him’ public hearing organized by the Telangana State Women’s Commission. A total of 54 women complained at the hearing, most of them about domestic violence. Commission President Sharada Nerella; Deputy Commissioner of Police, Women Safety Wing, Hyderabad, Lavanya Naik; and Deputy Commissioner of Police, SHE Teams, Rachakonda, Usha Rani.

Another complainant, Takseem Fatima from Ghansi Bazaar in Hyderabad, said that she had been subjected to domestic violence for the last few years. “My wife is unemployed. I have two children who need to go to school. How will she pay alimony for me and my children if I divorce?” he asked. She said she had already filed a domestic violence case, but her husband had not turned up at police stations or counseling sessions despite repeated summons.

Sameena Begum, who got married in July 2023, claimed that she was subjected to dowry harassment from the beginning of her marriage. “Since day one, my husband and his brother have been torturing me in the name of dowry,” she said. She also claimed that she was sexually harassed by her father-in-law. Asking for police intervention, the woman told the panel: “When I complained to my husband, he refused to believe me instead of confronting his father.”

A large number of women gathered at Hyderabad district collection on Tuesday, December 23, for the ‘Naari Nyay – Listen to Her’ public hearing organized by the Telangana State Women’s Commission | Photo Credit: Editing

Among the complainants was Sirisha, who was nine months pregnant and expected to give birth on December 31. “Despite my situation, I am here because my mother-in-law’s dowry harassment has gone out of control and my husband is not supporting me,” she said.

Speaking about the complaints received, Telangana State Women’s Commission Chairman Sharada Nerella said that the purpose of the public hearing is to directly listen to women’s complaints, ensure access to justice and expedite necessary steps. “A significant number of complaints were related to domestic violence and the commission will take up all cases and work to ensure justice for women,” he added.