Women Safety in India

This article talks about the security issues faced by Indian women. It highlights some of the statistics associated with crimes against women. It also discusses what are the steps taken by the government for women safety and what can be done further.

Introduction

Statistics Related to Crimes Against Women

Government Efforts for Women Safety

Why Women are not Safe?

Way Forward

Introduction

An Indian woman faces a number of security issues. They include domestic violence, sexual violence, sexual qaharassment, eve teasing, sexual harassmenthe at work place, stalking, acid attack, rape, murder etc. These days, women safety is a big concern in India due to rising cases of crimes against women.

Statistics Related to Crimes Against Women

Some of the statistical data about women crime in India is as following:

1. As per data of National Crime Record Burueau (NCRB), there are 19 major Indian cities of more than 20 lakh population where highest number of rape cases are recorded.
2. In 2016, number of rape cases were 38,947 in number. It means that more than 600 rapes are recorded every day out of which 33% cases are in national capital itself.
3. In 2012 number of such cases were  24,923 which increased to 33,707 in 2013.
4. In 2013, a major number of cases were related to age group of 18 to 30 years. They were 15,556 in absolute number.
5. According to research by World Health Organization, every 54th minute, a rape occurs with a woman in India.
6. About 27% of sexual crime in India is caused by neighbours.
7. 22% sexual crime is committed by doing fake marriages.
8. In 9% cases,  family members are involved.
9. The other crimes against women like eve teasing, dowry harassment, domestic violence, murder, sexual harassment etc have witnessed an increased rate.
10. Above data is based on  recorded complaints but the ground reality is that a large number of crimes against women are not even recorded. The reasons for non recording crimes against women may include family reasons, social fear, lack of access to police station or carelessness of police.

Government Efforts

The policy makers and government have taken following steps to reduce crimes against women:

The legislature has enacted a number of acts for reducing crimes against women. Such legislations are Domestic Violence Act 2005, Dowry Prohibition Act 1961, The indecent representation of woman (prohibition) act 1986, Sexual harassment of woman at workplace (Prevention, Prohibition and Redressal act) act 2013, Child marriage prohibition actrl 2006, Protection of children from sexual offence (POCSO) act 2012, The criminal law amendment 2018.

Home Ministry has taken special initiatives also to tackle violence against women. These efforts incude establishment of separate division for women security, launching of National database on sexual offenders, Emergency response support system. Ministry has set up "Nirbhaya fund" with the purpose of establishment of women security through smart policing, safety management, camera installation etc.

Why Women are not Safe?

Women are not safe. This is clearly evident from the existing and rising violence against women.

1. There are legal, administrative and political insufficiencies which are not able to ensure women safety. 
2. The biggest reasons are on moral side. 
3. The social structure of Indian society is the route cause of this situation of women. "Men are physically stronger than women." This faith has developed with societies. Men dominance is a common feature in most of the societies. India is also one among them.
4. We witness globalisation but no change in patriarchy is visible. In Indian society, gender discrimination exists even before birth. Female foeticide, discrimination in eating and education level, lack of women participation in decision making are examples of gender discrimination. 
5. Due to own efforts of women, they are working in different fields but men's thinking is still same. If any mishappening occurs with a woman, then the victim woman is herself seen as guilty. She is blamed for her dressing style, for being outside homes on late night. Her character is considered stigmatised if she has a male friend. 
6. Objectification or commodification of women is also an issue. Advertisements are made beyond morality for promoting consumerism. For example, presentation of women in advertisement of gents' perfume in wrong way. Advertisement of women cosmetics symbolise necessity of women to look beautiful. In movies, women is presented in wrong ways in item songs.
7. India is one among the countries visiting highest number of pornographic sites. Porn videos of children are most searched. This indicates existence of distorting mentality.
8. Men consider to have complete right on women's body after marriage. They make physical and mental torture on her. 
9. Media is also weak on moral side. India has a provision that victim woman's name, picture, face, other identification will not be highlighted but media usually cross it. An incident happened to woman is presented in a dramatic way. 
10. Social structure and moral values are getting weakening. 
11. Weak laws and their poor execution,  political statements, lack of political will, insensitive politics, lack of police care and sometimes misbehaviour by police become cause of women insecurity. These drawbacks are responsible for wrong conviction. This creates injustice. 
12. Indian legal and criminal system also has shortcomings. Before 2013, women victim had to wait for more than 20 years for justice. After Nirbhaya case if 2012, Justice J. S. Verma committee was set up. It's report suggested for establishment of fast track courts, reforms in police behaviour with victim woman, setting time lines for completing court case etc. Despite this, rape cases and violence against women have increased.

Way Forward

1. How can we make our society safe for women. This is the larger question. Overall, social change is required. We need to change patriarchy and need to develop gender sensitisation.
2. Political, administrative and legal loopholes need to be understood. 
3. Values should be inculcated to both genders at primary level which is family level.
4. Children need to be taught to deal with female in good way. Positive attitude should be built towards women. Moral values need to be built at school level. 
5. Role of police and judiciary is very important from investigation, catching criminals to filing chargesheets and deciding punishment. Police and judicial reforms are required. 
6. We need to understand more than 1000 fast track courts for dealing with crime related to women. 
7. Strong punishment is required in crimes against women.
8. Appropriate execution of law is required to ensure women security.
9. Institutional reforms are required. 
10. Cameras should be installed at necessary places. 
11. Suitable security arrangements should be made in transport facilities. 
12. Women police stations should be increased in number. 
13. Smart policing should be promoted to ensure women safety. 
14. Most importantly, efforts at individual level should be made.

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