The editorial discusses ongoing crimes against women in India, worsened by poor responses from authorities. It urges major reforms to tackle the root
A Grim Reality - The Unabated Crime Against Women in India
By Prime
Point Srinivasan, Managing Editor, and Priyadharshni Rahul, Editor
This is the Editorial published in eMagazine PreSense in August 2024
(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.
Solutions: A Multi-Faceted Approach
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.
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