'Spurt in extramarital relations in Kerala'

KANNUR: Advocating the need for making premarital counselling mandatory, state social welfare board chairperson Kamarunnissa Anwar said the advent of social media and widespread use of cell phones have spurred discord within families.
Consumption of alcohol, too, contributed to marital discord, she said, adding that mandatory premarital counselling could tackle the issue.
As many as 3,406 domestic violence cases were registered in 2013-14 alone. Of this, 672 pertained to sexual atrocities, she said.
"Of the total cases reported to the board, 16% of cases were of illicit relationship in which social media and cell phones played villains, while 61% cases were related to alcohol-spurred violence," she said on the side lines of a workshop on Protection of Women from Domestic Violence Act 2005 here. The social welfare board would intensify its campaign to make people aware of the Act, she said.
She said extramarital relations were rising at an alarming rate. Even recently married youngsters were entertaining such relations, underscoring the importance of premarital counselling.
Anwar said there should be a gender-sensitive approach to handle the issue. The misuse of social media among women was also on the rise, she pointed out.
"But the authorities are yet to take serious steps to make counselling mandatory, though it could save many lives from falling into extramarital affairs and divorce," Anwar said.
The highest number of cases-845-under the Act was registered in Thiruvananthapuram. In Ernakulam 387 cases were reported, while Kozhikode had 377. Kannur came fourth with 253 cases. In Thiruvananthaluram the maximum numbers of cases were reported because of the people there were more aware of the Act.
"It is quite possible that domestic violence and issues of marital discord could be even higher in other districts but it is not being reported due to the lack of awareness," she opined.
Anwar also questioned the rationale of letting Govindachami, who was awarded capital punishment in Soumya murder case, to 'enjoy his holidays' in the jail.