Unchanged Reality! yes it is. Women in India facing violence has become a
relentless issue including physical violence, sexual violence or domestic
violence mostly committed by men!
Twelve years to the Nirbhaya case and here we are in the same place, facing same
situation! - #NIRBHAYA2 #ABHAYA
Egalitarianism: (Gender Equality):
Gender discrimination mostly in favor of men affects many lives of women from
the perspective of career growth, progress and development of women leading to
disturbing women's mental peace, torture, harassment and leaving women into
traumatic condition for life! Gender Equality is a human right and this should
not only be found in the articles, books, or in our constitution, this should be
applied recurrently.
Gender based violence: (GBV)
Keeping in mind the health, dignity and security of women in India if we talk,
must be our utmost goal of securing women of India. Major reasons for GBV are
poverty, lack of education and stress at home. Women facing sexual harassment,
physical harassment, Mental Trauma, inflicted in Public or in Private including
threats of violence, coercion and manipulation, blackmailing causing devastation
and leaving lifelong repercussions for women.
Domestic Violence in India:
Many of married Indian women face domestic violence between the age of 18-49
have experienced domestic/ sexual violence and some have suffered physical
violence during their pregnancy and many more which left unreported. Gender
inequality, Substance abuse, Dowry culture (despite of the Dowry Prohibition
act, 1961) cases of Dowry and violence against women for dowry are emerging out
into our society.
Sexual Harassment:
In spite of availability of several women helpline numbers, heinous crimes
against women are taking place whether it be on her working place, on roads
crimes like stalking, molestation or toxic male gaze. Every time women getting
out of their house they're like "chalo aaj kya naya face karna padega" this has
become the current situation, and for this sorry! but women are not at all
responsible (this is for those who blame women for their own mistakes) she's
just trying to live her life peacefully, happily just the way she wants and
nobody has right to take away her liberty and her choice. I repeat nobody!
Sexual Exploitation:
Gaining trust first then back stabbing, using women for their own comfort then
abusing them publically making harm to their reputation socially, playing with
their emotions and blackmailing them, in such situations women must take a stand
for themselves. Women must keep a strong proof ready with them in case of
anything related to such situation occurs in the future she should be ready with
all the material (real evidences which we call) or documentary evidences against
the culprit.
As stated, under section 69 of Bhartiya Nyay Sanhita, 2023 has
introduced an act that if you are engaging in sexual intercourse with a women
making false promise to marry is a criminal offence, and offender can face upto
10 years of imprisonment and fine.
Discrimination against women: Women in India have faced huge battles earlier
battles such as limited access to education, social evils if we talk about like
sati, sexism (Misogyny): maintaining social rules of patriarchy which has been
practiced into our society since many years. Solution to which is ensuring equal
access to education, Empower women at workplace, strengthen legal protections,
support organizations that fights for gender equality.
Cyber violence against women:
Women are said to be more frequent targets for cybercriminals. Such targets can
be categorized as, hacking social media accounts and demanding money against the
same or demanding personal and private pictures which causes identity theft,
even deception to obtain personal information from a victim and can be misused
to act under the name of victim. As per the statistics nearly 98% of the cyber
violence are committed against women in India.
With relation to that crimes such
as cyber bullying, cyber stalking (section 354 D, IPC), cyber defamation as well
as cyber pornography are some of the crucial issues which need to be controlled
by making strong laws against the criminals and action must be taken
accordingly. Under such cases immediate action is advisable if not must be
reported immediately to the police or to the cyber cell.
Lack of equal opportunities and remuneration:
Women still lack rights of owning property on their name, earn income or free
from job discrimination throughout the world. These are some of the issues which
are been faced today by women across the country. Both men and women must have
equal opportunities for financial independence whether it be by setting up the
businesses or opportunity to develop personal ambitions, interests and her
talent.
Rape laws in India:
Truly, rape cases in India are increasing because there are no strict laws
against such heinous crime in India, people think we can easily get a way
committing such crime. There is no such fear in minds of people while committing
such crime. We clearly should not blame women for such crimes because they are
living their life just the way they want to, and because due to some creepsters
around why should they sacrifice their freedom?! As far as the punishment is
concerned according to the law 10 years of imprisonment and fine, that's it!
Is
this what you call it a punishment for such heinous crime???!! Ok we live here
in urban cities what about the tribal women out there? Think about if someone
commits such crime there what are women going to do? How are they going to save
themselves? All are not educated, all are not taught to fight back, all are not
trained well to handle the situation some will surrender, some will try to fight
but fail, ok let's say we have the women helpline numbers in any case if she
won't get a chance to find help…. Then? Then what next? As far as the criminal
justice system is concerned there is no such national document as such exist
which can solve the issue as far as the violence against women is concerned.
Punishments for Rape in different countries: v/s India:
- China: Death sentence or castration
- Japan: 20 years to life imprisonment or death penalty in case of sexual assault and with that other crime such as robbery
- Saudi Arabia: Beheading within days
- North Korea: Death by firing squad
- Afghanistan: Shot in the head (which is the best) or hanged till death
- Egypt: Death by hanging
- India: Imprisonment for life and shall be liable to fine
If all the above countries can do so what is stopping India from making the laws
strict? what am I trying to convey through this article is, there was no strict
change which is being made after the Nirbhaya case. Women must be strong enough
to handle the situation is another part, but what if she couldn't and such crime
occurs, we must definitely have to punish the rapists and not only punish, the
strict punishments and law enforcements must be made in the field of law so that
the lawbreaker will think 100 times before committing any such crime!
What I feel is fear and only fear in the minds of the lawbreakers can change
this brutal reality now and for that severe laws must be made and yes, for all
the women out there those who are reading this get this in your head that start
training yourself with some self-defense techniques at least basic for your own
safety and protection, secondly don't stay at the lonely places for long secure
yourself with the maximum people around you. One more thing, wherever you find
if any woman is in danger try to save her as possible ways as you can because a
woman can only save a woman now.
Conclusion
Women must be Vigorous and Tough!
I have called it as 'The Unchanged Reality' because this is what is unchanged!
but we need certain change now, some sort of change because even after 12 years
we are at the same place facing the same situation again, and not only in terms
of Rapes but also crimes such as harassment at workplace, gender discrimination
and sexual exploitation or cyber violence against women that means somewhere
something is definitely going wrong maybe because of lack of strict laws for
crime against women in India due to which people don't fear before committing
such heinous crimes anymore, and this is where the problem lies, women must
train themselves for some basic self- defense techniques, secure yourself with
people around you, and as far as the Indian laws for women is concerned
definitely we need harsh laws against such crime! Speak out! Stand up for
yourself its high time.
Written By: Adv.Devyani N.Nikam
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