RIGHT INTENTION, NOT SO RIGHT OUTCOME: ADDRESSINGDOMESTIC VIOLENCE THROUGH WOMEN'S CELL

This paper is an attempt to understand the ways inwhich the Indian Stateresponds to and constructs the issue of domestic violence through collaborationwith civil society organizations. Women’s groups have for a long time attemptedto infuse gender sensitivity into state machineriesin various ways for a betterhandling of women’s cases. For this purpose they have conducted gendersensitization campaigns, workshops and conferenceswith police, lawyers andjudges. Another such attempt is the establishment of women’s cell within thepremises of the police stations. These women’s cells run by Non GovernmentalOrganizations (NGOs) in collaboration with, and within the structure of policesystem aims at helping the police deal with cases of domestic violence in a gendersensitive manner.My paper attempts at an understanding of the functioning of one such women’scell at Orissa, India. The paper looks at the termson which the Orissa policecollaborate with local NGOs and studies the impactof such an initiative uponwomen’s quest for justice. In this effort it is tobe seen whether the statemachinery (i.e. the police system) subsumes the civil society organization (i.e theNGO) or vice versa, or is it mutually beneficial for both. My paper also focuses incritically analyzing the different functions performed by such women’s cells(members of which come from both police force as well as NGOs) especially itseveryday dealing with cases of domestic violence. The attitude of women’s cellpersonnel as regards the issue of domestic violenceis analyzed. Methods such asobservation of cases at women’s cell within policestations, content analysis of themonthly booklet published by such cells and interviews of women’s cellpersonnel is used to collect data for the study. This study brings forth the ways in which women’s cell personnel interpret andimplement existing laws on domestic violence and inthe process construct andreinforce concepts such as ‘women’, ‘marriage’, ‘family’, ‘masculinity’ and‘femininity’. My paper also illustrates that the capacity of the women’s cell tofulfill many of their original objectives is necessarily limited by their problematicposition within the police bureaucracy. Yet in thecurrent social scenario, wheregeneral police stations are dominated by a masculinist culture these women’s celldo provide a more gender friendly environment. Thuswomen complainants mightfind this space more accessible and compassionate than a police station wherethey fear sexual harassment in addition to other problems

Rendre justice ou renforcer le patriarcat ? Le genre, la loi et la violence domestique

La Constitution indienne garantit aux femmes l’égalité civique et c’est à l’État indien de s’assurer qu’une telle garantie constitutionnelle est respectée en toute circonstance. La loi constitue l’un des outils principaux permettant à l’État de s’assurer que les femmes bénéficient d’un traitement équitable en tant que citoyennes et que toute discrimination et violence fondée sur le genre soient bannies. Les exemples prouvent cependant que la loi n’a pas fait la preuve de son efficacité pour enrayer la myriade de formes de violence à caractère sexiste auxquelles les femmes à travers toute l’Inde se trouvent quotidiennement confrontées.  Les commissariats de police entièrement féminins, fruits du combat des mouvements féministes, entre autres, n’ont pas permis d’observer de changement substantiel. C’est dans ce contexte que cet article tente de comprendre la relation (à travers la loi) de l’État envers les femmes et son attitude dans leurs problèmes quotidiens. Il s’agira de se livrer à un examen attentif des moyens par lesquels l’État indien conçoit, répond et élabore la question de la violence à l’égard des femmes. Le présent article examine la culture au cœur de laquelle fonctionne le système judiciaire indien et dans quelle mesure il affecte la quête de justice des femmes. On cherchera ici à comprendre plus spécifiquement la perception, de la part du personnel judiciaire, à l’égard de la violence domestique et des manières dont celui-ci interprète et met en œuvre les lois existantes afin de se prononcer sur de telles affaires. Les données communiquées dans cet article ont été collectées dans le cadre de l’appareil judiciaire de l’État d’Odisha, situé dans la partie orientale du pays. Nous nous sommes fondés sur l’analyse de contenu d’affaires jugées par la Haute cour de l’Odisha dans les années 1988-2009 en lien avec les articles S498A et 304B IPC (Femmes Battues et Meurtre pour Dot), la Loi d’interdiction de la dot 4 & 6 et la Loi de protection des femmes contre la violence conjugale de 2005. Les données proviennent également d’observations dans tous les postes de police féminins ainsi que d’interviews approfondis avec le personnel judiciaire (police, avocats et juges) et un suivi de leurs réponses et attitudes quant à la question de la violence domestique. Cette étude affirme que le personnel judiciaire interprète et applique les articles en question de manière patriarcale et par là-même, renforce des notions sexuellement connotées telles que « femmes », « sexualité », « famille idéale », « masculinité » et « féminité ». Elle conclut qu’en dépit des amendements, les notions patriarcales telles que « chasteté » et « pureté », « devoir conjugal » » et « rôles genrés », « Sita et sati » « bonne et mauvaise femme » « famille sacrée » et autres sont utilisées pour refuser que justice soit faite aux femmes. Cet article insiste sur le fait qu’alors que des lois ont été promulguées et amendées de temps à autre (ce qui en soit n’est pas accompli de manière à tenir compte du genre), c’est surtout dans l’interprétation et l’application que l’État/la loi faillit. Il prouve comment, plutôt que de constituer un outil de lutte contre la violence faite aux femmes, la loi prend une part active et importante à perpétuer la discrimination et la violence sexistes, niant par là aux femmes une égalité civique.Constitution of India guarantees women equal citizenship and it is upon the Indian state to ensure that such constitutional guarantee is upheld in all circumstances. Law is one of the important tools through which the state aims to ensure that women are treated as equal citizens and any gender based discrimination and violence is not tolerated. However, literature shows that though everyday women across India face myriad forms of gender based violence, law has not proved to be an efficient mechanism to control such violence. The fruits of women's movement such as the establishment of all women's police station and others also have not made a substantial difference. It is in this context that this paper attempts to understand states’ (through law) relationship with women and its attitude towards their everyday issues. An examination of the ways in which the Indian State through its legal system perceives, responds to and constructs the issue of violence against women is taken up. This paper examines the culture within which the Indian legal system functions and how it affects women’s quest for justice. The focus here is on understanding the perception of legal personnel towards domestic violence and the ways in which they interpret and implement existing laws and adjudicate such cases.  Data for this paper has been collected from the legal system of the state of Odisha, situated in the eastern part of India. This paper is based on content analysis of cases judged by the Odisha High Court, for the years 1988-2009 related to sections S498A and 304B IPC (Wife Battering and Dowry Death), Dowry Prohibition Act 4 & 6 and Protection of Women against Domestic Violence Act, 2005. Data is also garnered from observations at all women police stations, and in-depth interviews of legal personnel (police, lawyers and judges) tracing their responses and attitudes towards the issue of domestic violence. This paper argues that legal personnel interpret and implement existing sections in patriarchal ways and in the process reinforce gendered notions such as «women», «sexuality» «ideal family» «masculinity» and «femininity». It brings forth how despite amendments patriarchal notions such as «chastity» and «purity», «womanly duties» «gendered roles» «Sita and sati» «good and bad wife» «family as sacred» and others are used to deny justice to women.  This paper emphasizes that while laws have been enacted and amended from time to time (which in itself is not taken up in a gender sensitive manner), it is mainly in their interpretation and implementation that the state/law has failed. The paper also brings to light the ways in which the patriarchal culture of the legal institution itself largely discourages women from accessing it and often victimizes the victim. It shows how rather than being a tool to fight violence against women, law often plays an active and important role in perpetuating gender based discrimination and violence, thus denying women right to equal citizenship

Rendre justice ou renforcer le patriarcat ? Le genre, la loi et la violence domestique

Constitution of India guarantees women equal citizenship and it is upon the Indian state to ensure that such constitutional guarantee is upheld in all circumstances. Law is one of the important tools through which the state aims to ensure that women are treated as equal citizens and any gender based discrimination and violence is not tolerated. However, literature shows that though everyday women across India face myriad forms of gender based violence, law has not proved to be an efficient mechanism to control such violence. The fruits of women's movement such as the establishment of all women's police station and others also have not made a substantial difference. It is in this context that this paper attempts to understand states’ (through law) relationship with women and its attitude towards their everyday issues. An examination of the ways in which the Indian State through its legal system perceives, responds to and constructs the issue of violence against women is taken up. This paper examines the culture within which the Indian legal system functions and how it affects women’s quest for justice. The focus here is on understanding the perception of legal personnel towards domestic violence and the ways in which they interpret and implement existing laws and adjudicate such cases.  Data for this paper has been collected from the legal system of the state of Odisha, situated in the eastern part of India. This paper is based on content analysis of cases judged by the Odisha High Court, for the years 1988-2009 related to sections S498A and 304B IPC (Wife Battering and Dowry Death), Dowry Prohibition Act 4 & 6 and Protection of Women against Domestic Violence Act, 2005. Data is also garnered from observations at all women police stations, and in-depth interviews of legal personnel (police, lawyers and judges) tracing their responses and attitudes towards the issue of domestic violence. This paper argues that legal personnel interpret and implement existing sections in patriarchal ways and in the process reinforce gendered notions such as «women», «sexuality» «ideal family» «masculinity» and «femininity». It brings forth how despite amendments patriarchal notions such as «chastity» and «purity», «womanly duties» «gendered roles» «Sita and sati» «good and bad wife» «family as sacred» and others are used to deny justice to women.  This paper emphasizes that while laws have been enacted and amended from time to time (which in itself is not taken up in a gender sensitive manner), it is mainly in their interpretation and implementation that the state/law has failed. The paper also brings to light the ways in which the patriarchal culture of the legal institution itself largely discourages women from accessing it and often victimizes the victim. It shows how rather than being a tool to fight violence against women, law often plays an active and important role in perpetuating gender based discrimination and violence, thus denying women right to equal citizenship

Fungal endophytes from two orchid species pointer towards organ specificity

Fungal endophytes may influence plant communities by altering the host's fitness either positively or negatively. Little is known, however, about their host/organ specificity, life style and role in plantfungus symbiosis under varying environmental conditions. We compared the leaf and root endophyte assemblages of two orchids (Bulbophyllum neilgherrense and Pholidota pallida) from natural forests and greenhouse conditions. Xylariaceae species were consistently associated with leaf and root tissues, while Guignardia and Pestalotiopsis were found predominantly in the leaf tissues of both orchids. Correspondence analysis of the endophyte assemblages showed that the endophytes exhibited distinct organ but little host specificity. More endophytes were shared by the two different orchids growing in the same location when compared to endophyte assemblages of a single orchid from different locations. Considering the influence of endophytes in shaping the host's community, diverse habitats must be screened vigorously to address questions regarding the role of endophytes in hostendophyte interactions. Rostlinná společenstva mohou být ovlivněna působením houbových endofytů, které se odráží ve změnách fitness jejich hostitelů, ať už pozitivních či negativních. Avšak málo je známo o hostitelské či orgánové specificitě endofytů, jejich životním stylu a roli v symbiotickém vztahu s rostlinou při růz-ných podmínkách prostředí. Autoři srovnávali společenstva listových a kořenových endofytů dvou orchidejí (Bulbophyllum neilgherrense a Pholidota pallida), rostoucích v přirozených lesích a sklení-kových podmínkách. Druhy z čeledi Xylariaceae byly pevně spjaty s listovými i kořenovými pletivy, zatímco druhy rodů Guignardia a Pestalotiopsis jsou nacházeny převážně v listových pletivech obou orchidejí. Korespondenční analýza společenstev endofytů ukázala, že tyto houby vykazují zřetelnou orgánovou specificitu, ale nízkou specificitu hostitelskou. Vice společných endofytů měly dvě různé orchideje rostoucí na společné lokalitě ve srovnání se společenstvy endofytů jednotlivých rostlin z různých lokalit. Vzhledem k vlivu endofytů na utváření společenstev svých hostitelů bude ještě potřebný důsledný průzkum různých substrátů pro ozřejmení role endofytů v interakcích s jejich hostiteli