Patna: Nearly 60% of married women in Bihar are victims of domestic violence, the highest in India, according to a survey by the Union Health and Family Affairs Ministry.
An alarming 59% of married women in Bihar suffer domestic violence with 50% of wives enduring physical violence, 19% sexual violence, 2% emotional abuse and 59% experiencing both physical and sexual violence.
The national average for violence against married women is 37%, according to the National Family Health survey which was released recently.
Rajasthan and Madhya Pradesh jointly occupy second place with 46% spousal violence. Manipur comes a close third with 44 per cent, Uttar Pradesh and Tamil Nadu (42%), West Bengal and Assam (40%), Arunachal Pradesh (39%) and Orissa (38%).
The Union Health and Family Affairs Ministry, covered 3818 women and 1214 men in Bihar between April and July 2006.
