Kerala Women’s Commission Chairperson P. Sathidevi appreciated the changing perception on gender roles among the new generation and urged women’s organisations to encourage it. Inaugurating the first district convention of the Forum Against Domestic Violence in Kozhikode on Saturday (July 12, 2025), she said women’s organisations should promote behaviour that builds self-confidence among girls within households enabling them to face adverse situations.

“We see that even well-educated girls are being driven to take the extreme step due to domestic violence. It is not that they are unaware of the laws meant to protect them, but many lack the confidence to act,” she said.

Drawing on anecdotes from recent incidents of domestic violence that made headlines, Ms. Sathidevi said that a patriarchal mindset was the core reason for violence within households. “Even women are governed by this mindset. This is what prevents a woman from seeking help from her family when she is no longer in a position to continue living with her husband’s family,” she said, adding that creating awareness among women alone was not enough — a change in the societal mindset was also needed.

State chairperson of the Forum Mercy Alexander presented the policy document, while district chairperson K. Ajitha presided over the event.

The Forum was founded in Kottayam in May 2025 to provide societal support to victims of domestic violence at a time when they rarely receive support from their families. It is supported by around 18 organisations, irrespective of political affiliation, including Anweshi, Pennakam, Women in Cinema Collective, Kerala Shastra Sahitya Parishad, Penkoottu, All India Democratic Women’s Association, Vanitha Sahithi, Mental Health Action Trust, and UN Women — representatives of which attended the convention.