IS SHE SAFE TODAY??

Negative, under no circumstances are women getting safer. A decry like this requires introspection. Well, to begin, take a glimpse at some recent happenings.

Dec 02, 2013 – 40 yr old IT professional from Bangalore raped at Kerala resort
Dec 04, 2013 - Teenager gang raped in Bhind District, Bhopal
Dec 07, 2013 - Seven-year-old girl raped by three minor boys in Mahbubnagar, AP

Dec 11, 2013 - Youth rapes teenager after promising marriage in Hyderabad

Dec 15, 2013 - 20-year-old raped by cousin in Bhopal

Dec 16, 2013 - Goon rapes 18-year-old girl in Nellore

         

Indian heinousness in crimes seems to have irrevocably found a new identity for itself, especially after the gang-rape of Nirbhaya in Delhi. A brutal rape and murder by a stranger, gang-rape of a girl by her acquaintances or in many cases rape of a girl by her own father or elderly relatives – We see it on the papers everyday. While India seems to have finally opened its eyes to the muted struggles and the silent cries of women, this is just the first ignorance gap that has been bridged. Realization isn’t just enough; there is still more to be done. A full retrospect of this one whole year that has run by after the Delhi incident brings into purview a few discussions about whether womanhood finds in India a safe haven or our nations is slowly becoming a ‘No country for women’.

First, have the rape incidents in India increased over years? It is indeed true that rape has doubled between 1990 and 2010. Also, the Delhi government in October 2013 recorded 1,330 rape incidents in the city as against 706 in 2012. Molestation has climbed to an alarming high of 2,844 from 727. Now, these figures have led the mob to believe that the occurrences increased post the Delhi incident. But, that is not the case here. The gang-rapes in Delhi and Mumbai were so brutal and inhumane that it made the media tail in. Few headlines became catalysts and set to fire a series of media coverings all around. As the nation empathized and demanded justice for these victims, 2013 saw an increase in assaulted women gain courage and blow the whistles. Approximately, only about 1-4% of Indian women are estimated to come forward to report whereas the probability of an American woman coming forward is about 13 times higher. So, this just points to a blatant truth that there are dark figures that go unreported and uncovered. This number, I believe, is frighteningly large and still counting.

Second, are women subjected to these abominable practices only in the impoverished sections of the society? Definitely no. It is prevalent also in the high-end of it. The cases of Tarun Tejpal of Tehelka, Asarambapu, Phaneesh Murthy, and Ashok Ganguly have revealed how both society and corporate women face molestation even from the crème de la crème. These immoral activities high up the society strata are mainly due to the westernization effect. Late night party cultures, discos, dating clubs, fashion shows and beauty contests are on the increase and so, are the chances for the rapists with women in proximity. On the other hand, the plight of rural women is even ghastly. Inadequate access to sanitation facilities along with benighted minds makes these poor souls an easy prey for rogues. Unless these grassroots issues are sorted out, women will remain vulnerable anywhere and everywhere.

Third, has there been resulting actions for justice? Not really. Women help lines, creation of women help desk in police stations, surprise checks in public places and public transport, CCTV cameras in markets, increase in patrolling, establishment of all women police stations, liaison with rape crisis intervention centres, and many such safety measures are said to have been taken by the police. But only a handful of them have shown results so far. Others just create confusion. Moreover, distress call apps (Circleof6, Nirbhaya) or pepper sprays do give us surety but to use it with a threat under your nose seems impossible to me. Looking at the legal side, while rape cases have risen from 16,075 in 2001 to 24,923 in 2012, the rates of conviction have dipped from 40.8% to 24.2% in the corresponding period. 15 out of 16 rapists see no time in jail for their action.

Finally, what is the real thing that has to change? The chauvinistic attitude. A patriarchal society still continues to prevail and shape men that way from birth. Attitude shapes perceptions. Perceptions model values. Values sculpt character. Characters create society. And is it not from a collection of compassionate societies that a HUMANE NATION is born. So, until an intrinsic quality to respect women blossoms and a crescendo of convictions are called for, rape will remain unbridled. With media having done its part by making heads turn and take attention, it is time for us to call the change. As thousands of women seek justice on the roads, I solicit the same and ask of you just one thought: Have you ever put yourself in the shoes of a woman who has just been raped?

Women’s Day Celebrations do not even

Matter anymore; CELEBRATE WOMEN!!

The day we join hands to make it happen,

Mother India will become a safe haven!!
She is not safe today, but one day she can be if we decide to stand together!!!

Let the change begin with us,
kAy..