The position and status of women has been a very dynamic concept
and since beginning of the vedic period and lasts till present times
the status of women has gone through numerous changes. Women
across the world have tasted all flavours of life,from the glory and
respect which has been described in vedic period to denial and
subordination in the post-vedic period and finally to the struggle for
equality, recognition and survival. In the contemporary world,
women have been made to face all kinds of volume physical
abuse ,denial of right to live subordination and let the most henious
and Shameful of such act is the act of violence against women.
No women is born to be treated in an inhuman manner and to be
deprived of a right to live. Any sort of violence committed against
women is a direct attack on our human rights. Women of all ages
from all kinds of background in all walks of life go through some sort
of violence in different phases of their life. It may be in the form of
sexual abuse, physical or verbal abuse, rape, trafficking in women
and young girls, forced prostitution, dowry related violence, female
foeticide or infanticide and other inhuman practises. They are
victimised and neglected in all fields of life and have to face this
discrimination in every sphere of human activity, they are given the
title like caretaker and homemaker, and it becomes a perceived
notion that women cannot perform all tasks which can be done by
men and the capabilities are often underestimated. This is a major
reason why men consider themselves superior to women.
The convention on the elimination of all forms of discrimination
against women, also known as treaty for women’s equality is a
landmark international agreement that a firm‘s principle of
fundamental human rights and equality for women around the
world. India ratified this convention in the year 1993. But the current
scenario defines that the mere adoption of convention and policies
has not served the purpose that it ought to. There have been many
instances where the suspected offenders are either family members,
themselves or relatives or even family friends. Considering such
circumstances, it will not be wrong to presume that women is not
safe in today’s time even at her own home.
The act of abuse like eve teasing, molestation,sexual
abuse,domestic violence and rape have become very common forms
of offences which are reported almost everyday.
Eve teasing means the sexual harassment of a woman in public. It
could be done by an individual or collectively. It may extend to
touching or pressing against women ,following her or making her
feel uncomfortable by making under that comment . A large number
of Indian women are facing this menace. Whether it is a public
transport or public places or shopping malls, Street or
workplace,women feel vulnerable to threat of eve teasing
everywhere.
Another form of violence against women is that of molestation or
what is commonly known as sexual abuse or sexual assault. sexual
abuse can be of various types namely fondling, sodomy ,child
pornography and child prostitution etc .
The person who has been victimised is seen with disregard in the
society. Even the molester themselves threaten the victim and
compel them not to disclose the incident. One of the most extreme
forms of case of molestation is when it occurs within marriage. This
is where a husband physically abuses the wife within the four walls
of house and cover his henious crime under the blanket called
marriage. Women silently undergo daily life traumas and perceive it
as a part of their everyday life.
Of late crime against women in general and rape in particular is on
the increase .rape is one of the most extreme forms of sexual
violence committed against women. The incident of rape has been
increasing at an alarming rate. Even the girls of the age of two years
are being subjected to such crimes. According to NCRB data, 2021,
India lodged average 86 rapes daily 49 offences against women per
hour in 2021. According to WHO every 54 minutes, a women is
raped in India. This is the statistics even after a number of cases go
unreported due to various reasons, such as fear of social
humiliation, or embarrassment, lack of parental guidance and
support in filing complaints etc
None in the world deserves to go through sexual harassment .We all
have the right to live freely without being harassed,bullied or
discriminated against.
The government of India accords utmost priority to safety of women
in the country.
The government has set up a non lapsable corpus Nirbhaya Fund for
enhancing safety and security of women. The Ministry of women and
Child development is also implementing schemes including the
scheme of one-stop centre for violence affected women and the
scheme of Mahila police volunteers under Nirbhaya fund
framework. The ministry has been administering various special
laws relating to women such as the protection of women from
domestic violence act, 2005, the dowry Prohibition act 1961 the
indecent representation of women act, 1986, the sexual harassment
of women at workplace 2013. An online analytic tools for police has
been launched on 19 February 2019 called “investigation tracking
system for sexual offences” to monitor and track time bound
investigation in sexual assault cases in accordance with criminal law
(amendment)act 2018.
Keeping yourself safe is important and thereare many safe and
creative ways to intervene. Simple steps include talking to the
offender and conveying the message regarding their unwanted
behaviour. Further, it is also essential to stay informed about this
issue. learning about the policies and procedures regarding sexual
harassment at workplace, school or university is very important.
Further, documenting everything for rememberance of the name of
the offenders and the incidents. Similarly, making sure to save any
evidence which will help with complaint. For instance, keeping the
text messages, emails, photos or more.
Most importantly, trying to get external information and advice from
people who can help decide to file a lawsuit. Likewise, never dealing
with it on own and share it with someone trustable to lighten the
load.
This is not a problem of women in India but it is of global
importance.
Women place a vital role in the society but has not received that
level of love, affection respect which is deserved. It is very important
to change the perception and outlook of men towards women in the
world. They should be taught to respect the glory of women and not
to consider them as an object. Global community should respect and
maintain the dignity of women and then only we can celebrate
international women Day in the real sense. There is no tool for
development more effective than empowerment of women.
