This refers to the article, “Crimes against women: Debunking perception” (February 27) by Balbir Punj. Time has helplessly watched women suffering in the form of discrimination, oppression, exploitation, degradation, aggression, humiliation. In a country where women and girls are traditionally revered as mother and the goddess, this is unacceptable. A society that is unable to respect, protect and nurture its women and children loses its moral moorings and runs adrift. The major lacuna in the laws is that they are not gender neutral. Therefore, many women and their family members misuse them to settle scores, intimidate and harass the husband and his family.
Sensitivity, training and knowledge of the rights of women and children are another vital need and must be made mandatory for all law enforcement agencies. To increase the reporting of such cases, we need to empower our women and children. The problem cannot be solved by the Government alone but by a national awakening involving the entire country and the civil society.