This year, the UN has decided to celebrate the Women’s
Day (on March 8th) with the theme “A promise is a promise: Time for action to
end violence against women”. Till yesterday night I didn't think seriously of
the topic and didn't feel to write anything on it. But yesterday night on
reaching back hostel I saw a video clip in a news channel showing a few
police men in public beating a girl and her dad who came to complaint against
the harassment that she had to face. I felt the same insecurity that I felt on hearing
the Delhi gang rape case that happened on 16th December 2012. Even
though there were so many outcries after Delhi gang rape case, cases like these
are again being reported in newspapers daily. On hearing the Delhi gang rape
case for the first time, a chill passed through my mind because it could have
been me also in place of her travelling with a colleague after my office work.
In these scenarios I seriously feel that a promise is a promise and its already
time for action to end violence against women. The UN says the purpose of the
theme is to promote ongoing efforts at the national level and globally to end
violence against women, share experiences
and innovations in delivering on commitments to women and girls, and support
efforts and strategies, particularly at the national level to increase
investments focused on gender equality and women’s empowerment.
Various political decisions as in the recent presidential ordinance about the recent harassment of women and nasal may serve as
promises and procedures in dealing with a grave social malady. Our recent
experience establishes the fact that the administration promises alone will not
have any social impact unless certain basic conditions are fulfilled. The
drawbacks in the present legal procedure and the executives’ implementation are
the following:
(i)
Collecting evidence in a sensitive issue involving reputation of a
women is almost impossible
(ii)
Interested parties especially political heavy
ways find it easy to destroy evidence, to purchase witnesses, to subvert the
whole case.
(iii)
Here justice finds no room.
(iv)
Women subjected to men’s brutality bears a
socially stigma and are treated as outcast.
(v)
Society is not vigilant in such master as they abhor any involvement
(vi)
The administration is inefficient and corrupt
(vii)
Legal proceedings get unduly delayed. Justice
delayed is justice denied
(viii)
Punishment is often mild and often culprits get
freed. Numerous chances of appeal for
reconsideration, for mercy petition makes justice ineffectual
Recently the number of cases in women harassment, rape,
murder, suicide etc., has increased tenfold during the last one year and this
is a great national shame. What a downfall to a nation. The worst part of it is
a top functionary who chairs a legislative body himself is a respondent in a criminal
case of mass rape. Such unethical instances are many either due to technical
lacony in the rule or due to other extraneous influence. This has opened the
eyes off many a social activist and sensible citizens and they are
contemplating various ways other than official promises to meet a challenge.
Such an action from citizens is called for when govt fails ot maintain law and
order. Many such movements to shift power is to be carefully examined. It
should not spread hatred and violence which will be worse than present inaction
and delay. What is called ‘moral police’ has voluntary emerged at certain
places - a good sign for awareness of responsibility. These bodies should be
controlled by superior agency people’s representatives and legal advisers This
should not however assume the shape of another bureaucracy. We may call them
people’s committee. Their primary duty will be collection of evidence on the
spot reporting to police ad following up the case at every level.
Farewell to jargons which emanate from political interest.
Accept truth which emanates from ethical considerations
There is an equally important task – the task of educating
women how to face untoward situations. Confidence has to be created in them
through the process of physical, psychical training. Our aim is our country’s
positive gain and welfare, in family security and unity.
