Violence Against Women in the Sikh Community

Violence against women remains a worldwide epidemic. South Asian women experience intimate partner violence at high rates. This chapter examines the impact of violence against Sikh women, within larger cultural contexts (e.g., Indian, Western). We highlight a few high-profile cases to unpack factors that impact violence against Sikh women. Discourse analysis is used to challenge the biased notion that violence against women is an inherent component of Indian culture. The authors discuss the historical formation of ascribed gender roles and the development of subsequent attitudes that influence the way women are viewed culturally. Particular attention is given to the intersectionality of identities and their influence on the way violence against women is perceived, passively accepted, and internalized. The sociopolitical context of Sikhism and its formation as a response to the hierarchical nature of other religions and historical context is also explored. Finally, the chapter provides advocacy and intervention strategies for service providers and community groups working with this population.