Vivek Bhat
Hardly passes a day when there is nothing in news about any kind of crime happening to women anywhere in the country be it rape, domestic violence, acid attacks, honour killing eve teasing etcetera. This”etcetera” is bolt on our face as we all are responsible as a society as we form the one where such heinous crimes come to happen. According to latest data of National Crime Records Bureau the crime rate registered per lakh women is 62.4 in 2019. The term “reported”hides multitude of unreported or somehow influenced or silenced cases. Sad state of affairs is, we live in a society where women are worshiped in the form of Goddess but treated worse than most sinful creature of hell.For instance I feel fortunate that I was born in a place where everyday thousands of devotee pay their homage to Mata Shri Vaishno Devi and I have roots in Kashmir where we celebrate and worship Jagatmata Kheer Bhawani but at the same time on the other side of coin when I see my friend or sister hesitating to step out after dark or to travel in public transport I feel ashamed. Sadlythey have to go through that which should not befall to anyone. After each such incident,we just hang our heads with shame for some time, candle shows, placards, some social media campaigns and that’s all. This is not done we need to do more to make this world better place to live for them. The dove trapped in alligators can’t be freed by using fishing rods, we need harsh tools so is the status of women which can’t be improved by blowing trumpets of women empowerment only and no work on ground.
We belong to the nation where women like Rani Laxmi Bai, Mother Teresa, Great reformer Savitribai Phule were born and there is plethora of examples of women in present day India, who have shown their excellence in every sector. At the same time on global level,we are contemporary to braveheart girls like Malala Yousafzai. She being active for the education of every child of war torn area. These examples from the past and present speak volumes of strength of women.
The constitution of India has conferred equal rights to women and various governments have taken various steps in order to uplift their status but acts/laws have punishments for crimes and rule of law can guarantee social order only.Hence moral upliftment of society depends upon the moral upliftment of its components viz -us, the men. Crime against women is more moral problem than social. In order to make a proper and effective medicine, we need a proper diagnosis. To my observation ,the base on which these crime stand is objectification of women. Until men stop objectifying women as something that can be obtained, something that has been made for them to fulfill their carnal greed there will be no betterment in their status. A woman is for a man, is story by instructors of many religions but present scenario needs a reformed and a moral man who would consider her a fellow human not an object. Before scribbling some solutions there is a little poem as follows:-
“I am a girl
Let me live my life
I am your mother
I am your sister
I am your daughter
I am your wife
Let me not to be assaulted
Let me not to be slayed by this sharp blunt knife
I protected you from storm
I am your holy mom
Every step you take I walk beside you
When misfortunes follow you
Stress tries to swallow you
Inside the deepness of my love I always hide you
I am always there, in your whole life
I am your lovely wife.
Always I seek your glad eye
It makes my eyes most when I see you cry
We grew together in this home land
Our relation is not limited to just silken thread in your hand.
It’s kind of relation you can’t forget and forsake, O mister!
I am your little sister.
When all your hair turns grey
When walking stick will be in your hand
I will be your hand
I will be your stick
I will take care of you
When u will become frail and sick
I am your decorated pot
You my expert potter
Don’t forget to give me my share of honour
I am your lovely daughter.
O man!
Promise me my disrespect you won’t bear
Promise me it won’t bother you how I look, what I wear
No mercy for culprits
No mercy for crooks
Beat them black and blue
And bring them to books
In my heart there is pain
In deep my soul the bloody rashes
Never forget O man!
You come from me
You will return to me
Dust to dust
Ashes to ashes. ”
We as a private or Government organizations need zero tolerance policy against crime against women in working places. Though there are laws in place but they need a review and strict implementation and as a fellow worker it is our moral obligation to give them space and opportunity to grow. We need to behave in public transports as unfortunately those have become most vulnerable places of eve teasing. Don’t give her seat but space. According to NCRB 2018 report the domestic violence crime rate per lakh women is 58.8. We need more strict laws against domestic violence as the laws we have in place do not suffice.Proper sensitization of police personal working in stations and media is required.Women cells should be more empowered so not even a single crime should go unreported and no criminal should be left unpunished.Fast track courts to deliver speedy justice in heinous crime like rape as justice delayed is justice denied.Punishment for Rape under section 376 and POCSO Act needs to be made more severe and rigorous to make it work as strong deterrence. Movies, Web Series makers should select content based on such issues to sensitize and educate masses.
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