(The editorial discusses ongoing crimes against women in India, worsened by poor responses from authorities. It urges major reforms to tackle the root problem and achieve justice.)
The recent horrific rape and murder of a doctor at a
Kolkata hospital has once again brought the issue of women's safety in India
into the national spotlight. This incident, which has triggered widespread
protests across the country, is yet another grim reminder of the vulnerability
that women face daily. What makes this case even more alarming is the casual
attitude of the West Bengal Government, which has been criticised for its
inadequate response to the situation. In a surprising twist, the very opposition
parties that disrupted Parliament seeking justice for Manipur women have
remained silent on this issue, raising questions about selective outrage for
political gains. Sadly, this West Bengal incident is followed by the reported
rape and murder in Maharashtra and Tamil Nadu. The Hema Committee report on the
sexual harassment of women in the film industry in Kerala has also shocked the
entire nation. President Droupadi Murmu has also expressed her outrage about
the rising incidents of crime against women.
Apathy and Political Silence
The political dynamics surrounding crimes against women in
India often highlight a troubling trend of selective outrage. While political
parties readily jump into the fray when it serves their interests, including
vote bank politics, they tend to remain conspicuously silent when the issue
doesn't fit their narrative. The stark silence of opposition parties in the
wake of the Kolkata case is a case in point. This selective outrage not only
undermines the seriousness of such crimes but also sends a disheartening
message to victims that their plight is secondary to political expediency.
State of Affairs: Top 5 States in Crime Against Women
India has witnessed a disturbingly high number of crimes
against women over the years, and certain States have consistently topped the
charts in this grim statistic. The following table provides a snapshot of the
top 5 States in India for crimes against women, including conviction rates and
the national average:
|
State/Category |
2002-2011
(Avg per year) |
2012-2022
(Avg per year) |
2002-2011
Conviction Rate (%) |
2012-2022
Conviction Rate (%) |
|
National Average |
186,500 |
324,750 |
22.4% |
24.7% |
|
Uttar Pradesh |
32,500 |
66,000 |
18.5% |
20.1% |
|
Rajasthan |
26,000 |
54,000 |
23.6% |
26.4% |
|
Madhya Pradesh |
21,000 |
47,000 |
20.7% |
23.2% |
|
Maharashtra |
28,500 |
51,000 |
24.1% |
26.7% |
|
West Bengal |
24,500 |
48,000 |
21.9% |
23.5% |
Data Source: National Crime Records Bureau
(NCRB)
Please note that these are all the reported crimes as per
the NCBR records. More than 90 per cent
of cases are not reported for various reasons.
Rajasthan consistently ranks as the State with the highest number of
reported crimes against women cases, followed by Madhya Pradesh, Uttar Pradesh,
Maharashtra, and Delhi. Despite numerous initiatives and legal reforms, these
States have seen little improvement in reducing crime rates or improving
conviction rates.
Global Position: Where Does India Stand?
The following table indicates the top 10 countries (195
countries indexed) with high Women’s Danger Index levels (2023) and conviction
rates. Women's Danger Index reflects the
overall danger level for women in these countries, considering factors like
violence, discrimination, and legal protections.
|
Rank |
Country |
Women's
Danger Index |
Conviction
Rate (%) |
|
1 |
South Africa |
771.82 |
5-10% |
|
2 |
Brazil |
624.28 |
11% |
|
3 |
Russia |
592.71 |
3% |
|
4 |
Mexico |
576.05 |
8% |
|
5 |
Iran |
553.11 |
2% |
|
6 |
Dominican Republic |
551.32 |
10% |
|
7 |
Egypt |
546.91 |
4% |
|
8 |
Morocco |
542.75 |
6% |
|
9 |
India |
541.25 |
23% |
|
10 |
Thailand |
533.22 |
12% |
India ranks No 9 under the women's danger index level, with
a conviction rate of 23%.
Out of 195 countries indexed for the women’s danger index, 5 countries are at the bottom.
|
Rank |
Country |
Women's
Danger Index |
Conviction
Rate (%) |
|
1 |
Norway |
220 |
70-80% |
|
2 |
Sweden |
230 |
65-75% |
|
3 |
Denmark |
240 |
60-70% |
|
4 |
New Zealand |
250 |
55-65% |
|
5 |
Finland |
260 |
60-70% |
Sources: World Population Review, Data Pandas,
UN Women Data Hub
These countries with lower scores indicate safer environments for women, ranking among the safest globally due to strong gender equality and protective measures. The higher conviction rates in these countries show the effectiveness of their legal systems.
The global
comparison reveals that India's crime rate against women is alarmingly high,
and the conviction rate is far from satisfactory.
Root Causes: Why Are Crimes Against Women So
Rampant?
The reasons behind the high incidence of crimes against
women in India are multifaceted and deeply rooted in the socio-cultural fabric
of the country. Here are some of the key factors:
1.
Patriarchal Social Structure:
Deep-rooted patriarchal norms continue to perpetuate gender inequalities, with
women often being seen as subordinate to men. This mindset not only leads to
violence against women but also normalises it within society.
2.
Cultural Stigma: The
cultural stigma associated with reporting crimes, especially sexual crimes,
discourages many women from coming forward. This allows perpetrators to act
with impunity, knowing that their victims are unlikely to seek justice.
3.
Poor Law Enforcement:
Inadequate policing, corruption, and investigation delays further embolden
criminals. The lack of swift and decisive action against offenders often
results in the perpetuation of violence against women.
4.
Judicial Delays: The
slow pace of the judicial system, with years-long delays in securing
convictions, weakens the deterrent effect of the law. Justice delayed is
justice denied, and this is particularly true in cases of crimes against women.
5.
Economic and Social Dislocation:
Rapid urbanisation, migration, and the breakdown of traditional community
structures have led to increased social tensions and vulnerability for women.
6.
Lack of Education and Awareness:
Insufficient education on gender equality and a lack of awareness about women's
rights contribute to the perpetuation of gender-based violence.
Tackling the issue of crimes against women in India
requires a comprehensive approach that addresses cultural, legal, and systemic
issues. Here are some key solutions:
1.
Strengthen Law Enforcement:
Police forces must be better trained and sensitised to handle crimes against
women. Strict law enforcement and immediate action on complaints can be a
strong deterrent.
2.
Fast-Track Courts:
Establishing more fast-track courts specifically for crimes against women will
ensure swift justice. Reducing the time taken for trials and convictions can
enhance the legal system's deterrent effect.
3.
Enhance Public Awareness:
Nationwide awareness campaigns focused on gender equality, legal rights, and
breaking societal stigmas are crucial. Education on respect for women should
begin at a young age through school curricula. Family elders should ensure that
their children follow values and ethics in society.
4.
Promote Women's Economic Empowerment:
Encouraging and supporting women's participation in the workforce and
entrepreneurship can reduce their vulnerability to abuse and give them the
confidence to report crimes.
5.
Improve Urban Infrastructure:
Enhancing public safety through better street lighting, CCTV surveillance in
public places, and creating safer public transport options for women is
essential.
6.
Tougher Penalties for Repeat Offenders:
Stricter penalties for repeat offenders and surveillance after release can help
prevent further crimes.
7.
Engage Men in Gender Equality Efforts:
Involving men and boys in gender equality discussions and initiatives is
crucial in changing male attitudes towards women.
8.
Accountability for Government Initiatives:
Ensuring that government schemes for women's safety, such as the Nirbhaya Fund,
are properly utilised is essential. Regular audits and accountability measures
can help improve the effectiveness of these programs.
Role of Civil Society and Government
Both civil society and the Government have crucial roles to
play in combating crimes against women. Civil society, including the media, can
drive awareness, support victims, and hold authorities accountable. The
Government, on the other hand, must ensure that laws are enforced effectively
and that justice is delivered promptly. Together, these efforts can create a
safer environment for women across India.
Conclusion
The recent tragedy in Kolkata is a stark reminder that
crimes against women in India remain a national crisis. While public protests
and judicial interventions are important, they must be accompanied by sustained
efforts to address the root causes of violence against women. Political will,
effective law enforcement, and societal change are necessary to make India
safer for women.
The time for selective outrage is over – what India needs
now is collective action.
(This article was co-authored by Priyadharshni Rahul,
Editor of PreSense. She is an Advocate
in Supreme Court of India)
(Source: This was published in the August 2024
edition of PreSense)
0 Comments