Dowry harassment, domestic violence still at serious level, NCW data shows how bad the situation is

New Delhi: The National Commission for Women received 25,743 complaints of crimes against women in 2024. Among these, the highest number of 24% (6,237) was of domestic violence. It is noteworthy that the complaints demanding ‘right to live with dignity’ remained at the top, which is about 28% of the total complaints. Dowry harassment cases stood at 17% (4,383) and 292 complaints of dowry deaths were registered.

Women are not safe at home

According to NCW data, domestic violence remains a major concern in 2024. Of the total 25,743 complaints, 6,237 complaints were related to domestic violence, which is almost one-fourth of the total complaints. This shows that violence against women remains a serious problem within the walls of the home. The highest number of complaints were related to ‘right to live with dignity’. This right is fundamental for women and it is worrying that the demand for it is the highest. Complaints of dowry harassment and dowry deaths were also reported in large numbers, indicating that the dowry system still poses a major threat to women.

There was a slight decline in complaints

Although 2024 saw a decline in total complaints, the number is still higher than in pre-Covid years. The total complaints in 2019 were 19,730, which increased to 23,722 in 2020. This number increased to more than 30,000 in 2021 and 2022 during the pandemic. There was a decline in these complaints for the first time in 2023. This decline is a positive sign, but the number of complaints is still worrying.

Most complaints received from UP

If we look at the state-wise data, the maximum number of complaints were received from Uttar Pradesh, which is more than half of the total complaints. Delhi, Maharashtra, Bihar, Madhya Pradesh and Haryana are also among the states from where a large number of complaints were received. This shows that more efforts will have to be made in these states to stop crimes against women. The highest number of complaints in 2024 came from Uttar Pradesh (54%), followed by Delhi (9%), Maharashtra (5.1%), Bihar (4.8%), Madhya Pradesh (4.2%) and Haryana (4.1%).

Complaints of other crimes related to women’s safety, such as molestation, rape, sexual harassment, cyber crimes and sexual harassment at workplace, were also registered. These figures show that women face various types of violence and harassment.