Munni Khatu is a victim of domestic violence. She was assaulted everyday for demanding her rights as a wife. The 25-year-old woman, who is originally from Bihar, shared her experience of dealing with violence at home. Munni got married at the age of 23 and ever since, had been a victim of physical and psychological assault. As the torture turned unbearable Munni left her husband’s house at Khanpur in Uttar Pradesh and returned to her house in Delhi. Her husband followed her to Delhi as well and after a few days convinced her to return to Khanpur. The torture continued even after Munni conceived. For three years, she lived with a demon in house and then left for Delhi again, this time with her six-month-old son. In Delhi, she discovered Mahila Panchayat in Dakshinpuri, an organisation for women empowerment.
For the past three months, Munni has been
fighting her case with the help of the panchayat. Her case has recently been sent to the court and is now under evaluation.
(Text and photo contributed by Poulomi Ghosh,
student of Mass Media at St Anthony’s College)