It is the Government’s responsibility to protect all citizens. Effective implementation of strong laws is needed to curb crimes against women
A fashion photo-shoot depicting a woman being groped on a bus has been termed as glamourising the December 16, 2012 Delhi gang rape. It is yet another example of how unfortunate is the depiction of women in our country.
To make matters worse, such incidences are followed by all sorts of bizarre analytical comments from the country’s highly educated politicians. The blame for a heinous crime such as rape is attributed to ridiculous reasons, such as having non-vegetarian food, using mobile phones, watching television, wearing denims, and even eating fast food.
Dear politicians, if your reasoning was even remotely true, how would you justify the rape of a baby girlIJ Such shameful discussions and debates just add to the misery and suffering of the victim. And instead of improving over the years, the status of women in this country has gone from bad to worse.
According to the National Crime Records Bureau, offences against women in the country have increased by 26.7 per cent between 2012 and 2013. Indeed, the figure has been continuously on the rise since 2009. About 2.03 lakh crimes against women were reported in 2009; 2.13 lakh in 2010; 2.28 lakh in 2011; 2.44 lakh in 2012; and 3.09 lakh in 2013.
Rape cases against women have increased by 35.2 per cent in the period between 2009 and 2013. These are worrying figures. In the absence of a stern law from the Government, such numbers will only keep multiplying.
While debates, discussions and candle marches with participation from representatives of civil society, non-governmental organisations, the National Human Rights Commission and the like are held on various forums across major cities, few concrete measures come to light.
Across the world, in rich and poor countries alike, women are being beaten, trafficked, raped and killed. These human rights abuses not only inflict great harm and suffering on individuals but also tear at the fabric of entire societies. It is the responsibility of the Government to protect women, but sadly our country's laws are not strong enough as compared to other developed nations. The system is weak as a result of which many cases often go unreported. And when some victimised women do come to the forefront, they often don’t get justice.
India has three woman Chief Ministers — Ms J Jayalalithaa in Tamil Nadu, Ms Mamata Banerjee in West Bengal and Ms Anandiben Patel ,who recently took charge in Gujarat. The Speaker of the lok Sabha is a woman; and there are many women political leaders and Union Ministers as well. Why then is it so difficult for the political class to understand the gravity of the situation and decide on a law to curb crimes against womanIJ
This is a big blot on our society. Owing to this, some foreign nations have even issued travels advisories to their citizens to avoid visiting India. According to some reports, there has been a drop in women tourists visiting India.
Women make up for one half of the society, and they shoulder responsibilities equally. Most, however, are unaware of their rights to education and financial power, and their roles in key decision-making processes. The Government should spread awareness about women empowerment by not just talking about it but actually walking the talk. Will the Government please wake up before it gets too lateIJ