WOMEN ARE NOT SAFE IN INDIA

As per 2021 statistics there are 22,172 rape cases reported to the police in India. With a population of 1.39 billion it comes 1.8 per lakh. While it appears to be a low figure comparatively, in numbers it is a huge amount considering the fact that in many states of our country even ten percent of cases are not reported to the police. The most shameful aspect of it is that in many such cases politicians are involved. According to media reports the ruling governments were found to be reluctant to take appropriate actions against the offenders sheerly on political considerations. It is a very serious situation. Women constitutes about 50% of the population of the country. In most of the Indian societies they are looked down as the weaker ones. Yet, they are denied security and justice. We must certainly find an end to these types of culture in our country. The worst part of it is that the most literate state of the country, Kerala has reported 627 child abuse cases in the year 2021 so far and about 15 children have been killed.

According to a ryeport by Thomson Reuters Foundation, part of Guardian development network, India is the most dangerous country in the world with regard to safety of women is concerned, followed by Afghanistan, Syria, Somalia and Saudi Arabia. Is this the pride of our great land?

Since the state and central governments are beyond correction by the common man at the prevailing system, the following are suggested for the consideration of the women's organisations of the country and other related establishments.

1. High courts and Supreme court may be empowered through parliament to get the cases registered, supervise the enquiry and to award stringent punishment to the offenders.

2. Possession of all types of narcotics should be banned in the whole country and offenders should be severely punished. Even execution can be considered.

3. No one should be allowed to move around pubilc places and travel by public transport under intoxication.

4. Any government employee attending office under intoxication should be suspended forthwith for a minimum period of two years.

5. All types of harrasment against women and children shoud become part of school syllabus in all classes upto class 12.

Above all, it is the courageous women should come forward and take up the matter to the centre and state governments and to the judiciary and ensure appropriate laws are enacted and implemented efficiently. Women may also try to utilise the media as much as possible. We should not forget the fact that in many European countries women can fearlessly travel through any part of their country at any time and safely reach the desired destination. We Indians loudly speak about our age old culture and civilization and we boast that we are the largest democracy in the world. Unfortunately, despite all these great speeches time and again our women cannot get out of their houses even in broad day light! Women should use their strongest weapon; the 50 per cent massive voting power!

K V George