Resisting Intimate Partner Violence: The Lived Experiences of Women Tea Plantation Laborers of Durrung Tea Estate, Sonitpur District, Assam

The phenomenon of intimate partner violence has profoundly affected a significant number of individuals, resulting in the violation of fundamental human rights, the deterioration of interpersonal connections, and the emergence of various physical and psychological health challenges. Intimate partner violence exhibits a heightened prevalence within a male-dominated patriarchal country, such as India, particularly within the context of tea plantations. Beneath the cheerful countenances of female tea plantation laborers lie concealed narratives of unspoken anguish and agony. Instances of marital rape, physical abuse, deprivation of sustenance, and psychological and emotional mistreatment are prevalent within households situated in tea estates. The majority of individuals who experience intimate partner violence often seek medical attention without exhibiting evident physical injuries. Instead, they typically appear with a combination of interconnected physical and psychological health issues. Over an extended period, individuals have assimilated the experience of abuse directed toward them as a customary occurrence. In contemporary society, women are observed to actively oppose acts of violence as a means of safeguarding their personal well-being, preserving their individuality, and ensuring the safety of their offspring. The manifestations of resistance can be observed through a range of behaviors, such as engaging in physical confrontation with the spouse, employing verbal abuse, raising one’s voice, pursuing divorce proceedings, or opting for separation from the husband. The resistance demonstrated by women reflects their consciousness in advocating for their rights, safeguarding their individuality, and advocating for gender equality. Therefore, drawing from a feminist perspective ontology, the objective of this chapter is to explore the phenomenon of intimate partner abuse and women’s resistance by examining the lived experiences of female tea plantation laborers, employing a grounded theory epistemological framework. Moreover, it endeavors to tackle the issue by means of social work intervention, effectively merging theoretical concepts with practical application. The present chapter is grounded on the empirical data obtained from a research investigation carried out within the Durrung tea plantation, situated in the Sonitpur district of Assam.